Assault victim Jeffrey Sumpter was sentenced to 18 months in jail Monday for fighting back without first making an effort to retreat.
Sumpter stabbed one of the suspects in response to the assault and was sentenced for that stabbing.
The Connecticut Post reports that Stamford, Connecticut, Judge John Blawie did not question Sumpter’s account of being attacked, nor did he question that Sumpter’s intent was saving his own life. However, Blawie ruled that Connecticut’s duty to retreat is paramount.
Sumpter was working in a Dunkin’ Donuts when the attack occurred, and after being “assaulted inside the coffee shop, Sumpter ran outside and stabbed one of the men.” His public defender, Howard Ehring, noted that one of the suspects was carrying shotgun shells, suggesting that this indicated an intention to harm Sumpter.
Sumpter was convicted of first-degree assault and will be on probation for three years following his release.
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