Man Pleads Guilty In Assault Of Darien Actor: Report

DARIEN, CT — A Norwalk man pleaded guilty on Monday in connection with the 2016 assault of Darien native and actor, Matthew Porretta, according to The Darien Times.

Christopher Aikler, 50, accepted an offer from state prosecutors and pleaded guilty to second-degree assault resulting in serious injury, The Times reported. He's scheduled to be sentenced in December on the seven-year anniversary of the incident.

Aikler will receive a jail sentence of five years, suspended after he serves six to 18 months, The Times said.

On Dec. 18, 2016, police said Aikler hit Porretta in the face with a glass at Darien's Chez Ernie's Cafe, causing severe injuries.

Aikler eventually turned himself in and was charged with second-degree assault, third-degree assault and breach of peace, police said at the time. He posted a $15,000 bond and was released.

Porretta filed a civil lawsuit against Aikler in March 2017, seeking more than $15,000 in damages.

According to the lawsuit, "...Aikler, a trained mixed martial arts fighter, smashed Matthew Porretta in the face with his beer mug, without any provocation and with such force as to shatter the beer mug."

Porretta sustained injuries to his eye, including a laceration, and he required surgery, the lawsuit claimed. He also fractured his nasal bone, sustained lacerations to his face and fractured his face among other injuries.

"I do not know the person who hit me and all I remember was waking up on the ground covered in blood on my hands and face," Porretta said in an affidavit.

The Times reported that the lawsuit is no longer pending.

Porretta starred as Will Scarlet O'Hara in the 1993 comedy movie "Robin Hood: Men in Tights." His other credits include "Beverly Hills 90210" and several other TV shows and video game voice acting appearances, notably in "Red Dead Redemption 2" and "Grand Theft Auto V."

— This story contains previous reporting from Patch Editor Rich Scinto

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