Crime & Safety
2nd Trial of Bethel Business Owner Accused of Rape Could Begin Next Week: Attorney
The first trial for former Tonelli's restaurant owner Antonio Fernandes ended in a hung jury, according to his attorney Gene Zingaro.
BETHEL, CT-- Almost three years to the day since his arrest, Antonio Fernandes, of Bethel, could begin a new jury trial for accusations that he allegedly raped two former employees, according to his Attorney Gene Zingaro.
The former restaurant owner was charged with two counts of sexual assault in 2013. Fernandes turned himself in to Bethel police on April 12, 2013 on an active arrest warrant.
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According to Connecticut Judicial Court case records, Fernandes is due in court on April 12, 2016 for a jury trial.
The charges stem from accusations from two former employees of his restaurant, Tonelli's on Grassy Plain Street, for incidents that allegedly occurred at the restaurant back in 2011. According to Bethel police, two women reported that he had sexually assaulted them.
He has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Fernandes was released in April of 2013 after posting $200,000 bond. Fernandes' second jury trial could begin as soon as April 12, 2016, according to his Attorney, Gene Zingaro of Zingaro & Co., LLC.
Tonelli’s closed and is under new ownership as of July, 2013.
Patch file photo
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