Ronald Sabatini — a 53-year old man beaten into a coma in a bar fight outside of Connie’s on March 6 — is now suing two men charged with assault in the incident.
In June, Sabatini filed a lawsuit against the former bar owners.
Shortly after, Derby police arrested Anthony DeFala, 26, and Richard Valenti, 27, in connection to the assault. They’re both due in court Jan. 25 and have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Sabatini has since added the two Derby men to the lawsuit, which seeks at least $15,000 in damages.
But the attorney for DeFala wants the judge overseeing the civil case to let DeFala wait until after his criminal charges are done working their way through court system before dealing with requests in the lawsuit.
Background
Sabatini was drinking at Connie’s on March 6 with friend, Elaine Hanna. DeFala and Valenti were also at the bar with a large group of friends, according to an arrest warrant.
Close to 2 a.m., the large group exited the bar, and a fight ensued outside.
According to the warrant, the fight may have started because Hanna drunkenly asked the group: “What’s this, Jersey Shore?”
Witnesses told police they saw Valenti shove Sabatini, and DeFala punch him.
Police believe that DeFala may have blind-sided Sabatini with a punch to the head when he tried to walk away. The blow is not caught on surveillance camera, according to the warrant.
Sabatini suffered a number of serious injuries as a result of the incident, ranging from traumatic brain injury to broken ribs, according to the lawsuit. He was in a coma for a few days.
The Lawsuit
Article continues after document, which is the original complaint before the new names were added.
At the time of the beating, Connie’s was owned by Mayor Anthony Staffieri’s sons — Anthony and Paul — along with Jeffrey Hughes, younger brother of Ken Hughes, president of the Derby Board of Aldermen.
Days after the incident, Anthony and Paul Staffieri allegedly kicked Hughes out of the limited liability partnership that controlled the business. Hughes has since filed a lawsuit against his former business partners and the mayor.
The group is represented by the Garraty Cynthia Law Offices in North Haven.
DeFala is represented by New Haven attorney Michael Hillis.
No attorney is listed as representing Valenti.
Last week, Hillis filed a motion for extension of time for DeFala to respond to motions filed by Sabatini’s attorney, citing the criminal case.
DeFala “requests extension of time until one week after the deposition of the underlying criminal case,” Hillis wrote in his motion.
No decision had been made as of Dec. 9.
The attorney for the former Connie’s owners has also asked for an extension, saying they need more time to gather information and material.
The judge granted that extension.
Meanwhile, Sabatini’s attorney, Andrew J. Pianka, plans to begin taking statements for the case. Pianka has subpoenaed two women for interviews later this month.
He was unable to be reached for comment Thursday.
Connie’s closed earlier this year, then reopened under new management.
