BRIDGEPORT — An aggressive defense lawyer and a sympathetic judge could mean the difference between life and death for Lewis, Fairfield's best-known cat.

Eugene Riccio, the lawyer for Lewis' owner, Ruth Cisero, engaged in legal wrangling Tuesday with Assistant State's Attorney Charles Stango and Judge Patrick Carroll over the fate of the feisty feline.

As they negotiated, a throng of media gathered outside the Golden Hill Street courthouse, with satellite trucks lining the street. Riccio emerged from the judge's chambers and said he would renew a motion for accelerated rehabilitation for Cisero. The case was continued to June 20.

Cisero, of High Street, Fairfield, was charged earlier this year with second-degree reckless endangerment after Lewis got out of her house and allegedly clawed and bit Maureen Bachtig, of Sunset Circle. Lewis also has been accused of attacking several other residents of Sunset Circle and an Avon representative. The Bachtig incident followed the imposition of a restraining order on Lewis by Fairfield Police, restricting him to Cisero's home.

Before Riccio emerged Tuesday, two Fairfield woman, Marisa Sampieri and Adrienne Mitchell, paced outside the courthouse wearing "Save Lewis" T-shirts.

"There are killers out there that don't get put to death," Sampieri said.

"He should be free to run around and be a cat," Mitchell said. "I've been attacked by a raccoon and even a swan, but I'm not afraid of a cat."

Cisero

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previously applied for accelerated rehabilitation, a probation program that would have led to the case being dismissed.

But the judge presiding over the case at that time, Susan Reynolds, would only consider allowing Cisero into the program if Lewis were put to death.

Riccio, who recently took Cisero's case, said they were again seeking accelerated rehabilitation and the conditions of the program would be left up to the Carroll, current judge.

"The court has broad discretion on what terms it will set," he said.

Stango declined to comment.

Riccio said he recently met with Lewis and found him to be "friendly and very affectionate."

"I was especially impressed with his cleanliness," he said.

He said that Cisero is tense while she waits for a resolution.

"Lewis is like a member of her family, and it is her mission to preserve his life," he said.

Daniel Tepfer, who covers state courts and law enforcement issues, can be reached at 330-6308.