BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – The suspect in a random attack on an elderly man in Burlington changed his plea saying he has no memory of the incident.
Shawn McConnell, 41, originally pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge in May after police say he punched an 82-year-old man, knocking him unconscious, in a seemingly random attack in downtown Burlington.
Tuesday, McConnell changed his plea to no contest saying he was hallucinating during the attack and remembers neither that incident nor a similar one in February.
“I would just like to apologize on behalf of my actions. I honestly, just because I don’t remember doesn’t mean I can make any excuses,” McConnell said.
With the change of plea, McConnell avoids jail time but will serve 18 months of probation.
His lawyer says McConnell now lives in Brattleboro to avoid drugs and violence in Burlington. He says McConnell is working with a recovery coach to get his life back on track.