3-10-2009 Connecticut:SOUTHBURY -- An Oxford man awaiting trial on charges of sexually assaulting young girls apparently committed suicide Saturday morning in Southford Falls State Park, according to State Police and the Department of Environmental Protection.
Frederick R. Potts, 58, of Sioux Drive, was found dead in the park at 9:14 a.m.
"A citizen going through the park found the body and called 911," said Cyndy Chanaca, a DEP spokeswoman. She said Potts had hanged himself.
State police from Troop A in Southbury responded to the scene, and they turned the investigation over to the DEP Environmental Conservation police.
Potts was the husband of Oxford Town Clerk Margaret Potts.
Oxford Democratic Town Committee Chairman Peter Bunzl and Selectman David McKane expressed concern for the family, each describing Margaret Potts as "a wonderful woman."
"This is such a terrible thing for her to have to go through," said Bunzl, who called her "the best person I know... a wonderful worker and a good friend."
Frederick Potts was free on $150,000 bond pending an appearance next Monday in Milford Superior Court on charges of three counts of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of third-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor.
The charges stemmed from five alleged incidents involving two different girls over an extended period of time. The two girls, both minors, are in the care of the state Department of Children and Families.
Potts also faced a charge of risk of injury to a minor stemming from an alleged Aug. 30, 2008, incident at the Hemlock Hill Campground in Litchfield County.
He was free on $500 bond in that case, which was pending in Bantam Superior Court.
"The whole series of events is such an awful tragedy," said Selectman August Palmer. "My heart goes out to the children involved in this. I feel very sorry for them." ..Source.. by Michael P. Mayko, STAFF WRITER
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