Not guilty plea entered in horse abuse case

Derby, Conn. (WTNH) - A man accused of sexually abusing a horse in Shelton entered a not guilty plea in court Monday.

63-year-old Marian Wegiel did not speak to News 8 as he left Derby Superior court, but his attorney Ralph Crozier said this has all been so difficult for his family.

"It's been harmful to the children of the family, to the wife and others," Crozier said. "They all feel tainted by the allegation itself."

Wegiel was arrested October 18th on charges of sexually abusing his neighbor's horse in Shelton. The police were called to the Partridge Lane farm when one of the owners saw Wegiel in the corral. She said he had his hand inside the horse and was molesting her. Attorney Crozier said Wegiel had heard a loud noise before and had noticed it scared the horses. He said he'd even discussed it with the owners.

"He walked over when he heard the large noise," Crozier said. "The horses were frothing and dancing or prancing in the area and supposedly, he was calming one down by patting it."

And he says there was the language barrier.

"I think there is a communication gap or difficulty here with what was said to the police," Crozier said.

In court, a Polish translator was requested and Wegiel entered a not guilty plea and asked for a jury trial. As a condition of his release, he's now not allowed to go near the farm or the horses. His attorney asks that people remember he is innocent until proven guilty.

"Has no criminal history whatsoever, is God-fearing, collects the money in his church for many, many years and works in the festivals and fairs," Crozier said.

Wegiel will be back in court December 7th.

Note: News 8 was not allowed to have a camera in the courtroom because this is a sexual assault case, even though the victim is a horse.