Man Charged in Vernon Homicide Let Out on Promise to Appear

VERNON, CT — A Vernon man charged with criminally negligent homicide in the death of a homeless man has been back on the street since Friday after his initial $50,000 bond was reduced to a promise to appear in court.

James King Jr., 49, is due back before a judge on July 30, court records indicate.

At 4:24 p.m. on July 1, Vernon police responded to an alley behind 20 East Main St. and found an unresponsive man, according to a report. Basic life support measures were provided to the man, later identified as 64-year-old Robert Ignatowicz, but he was pronounced deceased at the scene, police said.

According to a warrant, Ignatowicz and King began arguing over a bottle of vodka and a bottle of cola and began pushing each other on top of an elevated loading dock. They both fell off the loading dock and onto the pavement below, according to a warrant.

Ignatowicz sustained serious head injuries and subsequently, died, according to a warrant. Others were present during the scuffle and some witnesses told police they thought Ignatowicz was just intoxicated and therefore did not come to his aid, according to a warrant.

Autopsy results show that Ignatowicz died of "blunt injuries to the head and neck" and his death was ruled a homicide, according to a warrant.

An arrest warrant was issued for King's arrest last Thursday and he was taken into custody that day, police said. King was charged with criminally negligent homicide and second-degree breach of peace and was arraigned in Rockville Superior Court Friday.

His last known address was on Talcott Avenue in Vernon. Ignatowicz was considered homeless but essentially lived in Vernon, police said.

Class A misdemeanors are the most serious misdemeanors in Connecticut, punishable by up to one year in jail and fines of up to $2,000.

Photo Credit: VPD

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