NORWICH – The case against accused felon Michael Thiel following an alleged assault that took place on May 22 at the South Otselic American Legion may be headed to trial after the Chenango County Public Defender’s Office announced its client had refused a plea deal that would have resulted in a state prison sentence.

Thiel, 38, of Otselic, was indicted in June on charges of second degree assault, a class D violent felony, and third degree assault, a class A misdemeanor. He remains incarcerated at the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $20,000 cash bail.

Representing the public defender’s office, attorney Pat Mavady said Thiel had rejected a deal offered by the Chenango County District Attorney’s Office and requested a jury trial. Mavady asked that Thiel’s bail be reduced or that the defendant be released as he’d been held in custody since the time of the alleged incident. District Attorney Joseph McBride, in response, said he objected to Thiel’s release, stating he had “almost killed the victim for no reason” and is “facing seven years in state prison.”