NORWICH – An Oxford man accused of assault and mischief appeared in Supreme Court Monday after the mother of his children tried to withdraw the $500 bail she originally posted for his release.
Robert W. Gallo Jr., 26, was arrested Dec. 6 by the Norwich Police Department for allegedly assaulting a female victim and causing $3,000 in damages to the victim’s car.
The incident allegedly took place at 2:45 a.m. Dec. 6 along Fair Street in the City of Norwich. A grand jury indicted Gallo in January for second degree mischief, a Class D felony, and third degree misdemeanor assault. Gallo has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Gallo’s ex-live-in girlfriend and mother of his children, Cassandra Barrows, who is not the victim in the incident, wrote Supreme Court Justice Kevin M. Dowd a letter requesting a bail hearing in Gallo’s case so she could withdraw the $500 bail she posted for his release.
Although Barrows was not in court, Dowd read directly from the letter after District Attorney Joseph A. McBride said Gallo was a “local drug dealer” for the last five years.
The DA said Gallo had previous arrests for cocaine and claimed that both his father and Barrows, who have both been charged with misdemeanor drug possession, had “taken the rap” for him in an unrelated case.
Dowd read the letter to the court in which Barrows requested a bail hearing and claims Gallo continued to be involved in local drug activity.
“He said he was going to change his life, but hasn’t changed his life,” read Dowd form the letter.
Gallo spoke directly to the court against the wishes of his assigned counsel, defense attorney Peter J. McBride.
Gallo said he and Barrows had separated since his release and the attempted withdrawal of bail was a personal matter.
“Hell hath no fury, eh?” said Dowd, who told Gallo’s attorney he intended to take the matter seriously.
Peter McBride asked that the court continue the bail, saying Gallo had always appeared for court, had three children living locally, was a 15-year resident of the area and did not have transportation.
Dowd said he wished to move ahead with the bail hearing: “If she doesn’t trust him, we don’t wait, we’ll do it now.”
The defense attorney said Barrows had paid for the bail using his client’s own money and Gallo told the court he could provide written documentation to support the claim.
“There are some sharp issues of fact left unresolved, your honor,” said Peter McBride.
Dowd continued the bail, but said he would order a bail hearing in the near future. Gallo’s defense attorney also told the court his client wished to go to trial over the assault and mischief charges. Dowd said he would “fast track” the case to a jury trial.
“After all, justice delayed is justice denied,” he said.
Before leaving for court, Gallo also had to register his new physical address with the court which was with his new live-in-girlfriend from Oxford, he explained.