Southington Man Faces First-Degree Assault in Tuesday Attack

A Southington man is facing charges and another is in the hospital following a Tuesday night assault that occurred outside the McDonald’s restaurant on Queen Street.

Justin L. Diagle, of 12 Regency Court, was arraigned in Bristol Superior Court Wednesday on charges of first-degree assault, criminal liability for the acts of others in a first-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace.

Daigle, 23, was held on bond following his hearing and is due back in court in August, according to court officials.

A police incident report said officers were dispatched to McDonald’s, 675 Queen St., just after 11 p.m. with reports that a man was seriously injured in a fight. Officers said Daigle and two others attacked the victim, whose name was not released, from behind.

Witnesses said the three men proceeded to kick the victim repeatedly in the body and head before eventually leaving him unconscious. Daigle was identified in the attack, police said, and the case remains under investigation. Additional arrests are expected.

Daigle has a criminal history that includes a 2008 conviction for leading Plymouth police in pursuit, a 2005 conviction for sale of hallucinogens and two separate convictions of possessing more than an ounce of marijuana in 2009 and 2010.

He is also facing a charge of possession of more than an ounce of marijuana stemming from a July 12 arrest in Plymouth.