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Christian Ciccolella (STORY / PHOTOS: CLIFFVIEW PILOT Courthouse Reporter Mary K. Miraglia)
In a split verdict, the jurors acquitted 24-year-old Christian Ciccolella of second-degree aggravated assault with serious bodily injury after nearly a day of deliberations following a two-day trial.
Defense attorney Ron Bar-Nadav said Ciccolella was standing outside Whiskey Pete’s on Anderson Avenue last Nov. 27 when the other man came out and began “You dirty Mexican, go back where you came from!”
Who threw the first punch wasn’t clear. Bar-Nadav said Ciccolella — who has a history of petty crimes — was protecting himself. However, after the other man fell down, he kicked him in the head, authorities said.
The victim, meanwhile, told police that he couldn’t remember anything about the incident.
The eight women and five men on the jury were left to sort it out.
They convicted Ciccolella of aggravated assault with insignificant injury and with leaving the scene knowing that his victim was injured and needed help.
Superior Court Judge James J. Guida allowed Ciccolella to remain free on his current $50,000 bail until sentencing Nov. 21.
Increasing bail “serves no purpose,” the judge said, adding that he could end up giving Ciccolella probation.
Guida did put restrictions on Ciccolella’s freedom, requiring him to report to probation weekly. If he misses an appointment, the judge said, he’ll revoke bail.
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