Two Groton Assault Cases Continued In Court

Two men charged with assaults in Groton had their cases continued today in New London Superior Court.

James Wardlaw, 24, of 29 Center St. in Niantic, was charged with first-degree assault and conspiracy to commit first-degree assault in connection with a January incident in which a man was attacked in a Groton hotel. According to a probable cause report on the case, the victim was assaulted by three men and stabbed nine times in the torso - including a wound that punctured his lung - and four times in the scalp.  

Wardlaw pleaded not guilty on Jan. 5. New London Superior Court Judge Patrick Clifford said during a brief pre-trial hearing Wednesday morning that lawyers for both sides still have issues to discuss and continued the case until Oct. 20.

The second case involves a 72-year-old Groton and 26-year-old New London man accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy, according to an affidavit filed in court.

George Hammel, 72, of 20 Birch St. in Groton, was arrested May 5 and charged with second-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor. He has posted a $200,000 bond.

During a brief hearing Wednesday, Clifford said lawyers from both sides still have matters to discuss, and continued the case until Oct. 26.