Rochester man gets suspended sentence in Portland Street fracas

Aaron Matthew Buzzell (Rochester Police photo)

DOVER - A Rochester man struck a plea deal in Strafford Superior Court on Monday for his part in a June brawl on Portland Street in Rochester.

The most serious accusations against Aaron Matthew Buzzell, 43, had been for second-degree and simple assault, but both of those were nol prossed, or not prosecuted, Assistant County Attorney Kayla Jade Turner said today.

Buzzell, of Coxeter Square, did plead guilty to disorderly conduct, a violation; and misdemeanor criminal trespass.

As part of the plea deal Buzzell will get a suspended 12-month jail sentence followed by two years of probation.

Buzzell's arrest occurred on June 11 after officers were called to break up a ruckus on Portland Street.

Police responded a little before 8 p.m. for a report of seven or eight people screaming at and pushing each other.

When officers arrived they learned that Buzzell had been walking in the area, had cut through someone's yard and was sitting on someone else's stoop.

After he was asked to leave some words were exchanged followed by a physical altercation between Buzzell and a couple of residents.

During the altercation, Buzzell grabbed one of the residents by the throat, which led to a felony assault charge, Rochester Police Capt. Todd Pinkham said the day after the arrest. Buzzell was also charged with simple assault, criminal trespass for sitting on the stoop and disorderly conduct.

Buzzell spent nine days in jail after his arrest due to probation violations.