NORWICH – A convicted drug dealer had his sentencing postponed Monday after defense attorneys presented a pair of motions, delaying Judge W. Howard Sullivan’s ruling.
On Sept. 13, Michael A. Victor Jr. was convicted by a jury of his peers of one count of second degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A-II felony; two counts of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony; one count of second degree conspiracy, a class B felony; three counts of second degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class C felony; one count of third degree criminal possession of an assault weapon, a class D felony and two counts of third degree criminal possession of a weapon with serial numbers defaced, a class D felony.
The first motion presented by defense attorney F. Paul Battisti asked for Judge Sullivan to recuse himself from the Victor case, due to an alleged “hit list” naming the county court judge. In response, Sullivan said he would not recuse himself and refused to “establish a precedent” for those issuing such threats “whether it can be accomplished or not.”
District Attorney Joseph McBride said he was “extremely offended” by the defense’s request and called it “highly unprofessional.”
A second motion, received just minutes before sentencing, requested Victor’s conviction and verdict be vacated due to incidents allegedly related to his case – including new information – which had taken place since his trial. Those incidents, said McBride, had “no bearing on this proceeding.”
Sullivan then postponed sentencing and stated he would need time to review both motions.
Victor was indicted in 2009 on the felony charges following a multi-agency drug bust that occurred in the City of Norwich. According to sources close to the case, he could face up to 38 years in state prison if and when he is sentenced. He will re-appear in county court at a later date.