Witness to Aselton Shooting Released from Hospital
(East Hartford-WTNH) _ The key witness in the ambush murder of Brian Aselton is Gregorio Velez, the man who was being beaten when a neighbor called police to complain about the noise. He talked to police at St Francis Hospital, where he was being treated for serious injuries. Velez was released this morning and is under police protection.
News Channel 8's Christina Hager Reports.

Doctors at St Francis hospital worked over the weekend to heal Velez, the most important witness in this case, and possibly the key to solving the murder of Brian Aselton.

Chief James Shay, East Hartford Police Dept.: "He's been very helpful, and obviously he's an important man in our life right now."

Velez lives at the Main Street apartment building where Aselton was shot to death. Apartment #2. Police say their two suspects in the killing had brutally beaten Velez before officer Aselton had arrived at the scene.

Chief Shay: "He was severely beaten. There's no question he was the victim of a savage beating."

Velez signed a lease to move in January 1. His niece, Nancy Gonzalez, helped him find the place. She's a secretary for Dr Jeffrey Altman, a local dentist. He is one of the landlords. Gonzalez tells News Channel 8:

"Let's cooperate. If anyone's out there who knows anything, please help. Our heart and soul goes out to the family of this officer."

Police and relatives say the less they say about Velez, the safer he will be while the killers are still at large.

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