A Shelton man imprisoned since late last year on charges he threatened to kill his ex-wife and pushed her down a flight of stairs will face up to five years in prison after taking a plea deal in the case Wednesday.
The man, Scott Robert Wasilewski, 46, pleaded under the Alford doctrine to first-degree unlawful restraint, second-degree assault, and two counts of violating a protective order.
Under Alford, a defendant does not admit all the facts in the case but concedes there is enough evidence for conviction at trial.
Most of the charges are connected to an incident last Dec. 16 when police say Wasilewski showed up at his ex-wife’s residence even though a judge had ordered him to stay away.
Police said Wasilewski started fighting with the woman, pushed her down the stairs leading to her basement and then threatened to kill her.
At the time of the arrest, Wasilewski was already facing a threatening charge in connection to a previous incident involving his ex-wife.
A plea deal in the case between prosecutors and his lawyer, Richard Lynch, calls for a 10-year prison sentence to be suspended after a maximum of five years, followed by five years of probation.
As part of the deal, Lynch will have the right to argue for less or no jail time for Wasilewski when he is sentenced Nov. 21.
Wasilewski has been behind bars since his arrest Dec. 16.
Lynch said he’s been receiving treatment while in custody and his behavior has improved as a result.
“Mr. Wasilewski’s doing a lot better now,” Lynch said. “He’s been diagnosed as having a bipolar disorder which caused a lot of his issues.”
Lynch also said Wasilewski’s ex-wife is on board with the disposition in an effort to “try to work out what’s best for him and his family.” Though separated, the two have children together, he said.
“He’s had a lot of time to reflect and get treatment, and take his medication,” Lynch said. “He’s doing very well.”
