South Kingstown town councilor found not guilty in ‘body-slamming’ case

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WLNE) — South Kingstown Town Councilor Jay Wegimont was found not guilty after being accused of “body-slamming” a Narragansett town councilor.

Wegimont faced a simple assault charge after he was accused of attacking Anthony D’Ellena outside a town council meeting on June 9.

Wegimont released a statement thanking the judge for her “fair, transparent, and thorough” handling of the case.

His full statement can be read below:

I want to thank Judge McCaffrey for her fair, transparent, and thorough handling of this case. Today, I was found not guilty and fully exonerated of all charges. In her decision, Judge McCaffrey not only affirmed what I have said from the beginning — that I am innocent — but also found the allegations and testimony against me to be wholly lacking in credibility. This judgment goes far beyond a not-guilty verdict; it is a complete vindication.

I am deeply grateful to my attorneys, John MacDonald and Don Lally, for their steadfast representation, and to my family, friends, and the people of South Kingstown and beyond for their faith and support. I also want to thank my colleagues on the South Kingstown Town Council and the South Kingstown Democratic Committee for standing by me throughout this process.

With this chapter closed, I’m eager to return my full focus to what matters most: serving the great people of South Kingstown and Rhode Island with integrity, dedication, and transparency.