A Pittsfield man deemed a sexually violent predator had his request for a new trial denied.

It’s the case against Troy A. Dew, 43, and an argument was held Friday before Judge Gregory Hammond.

Dew was found guilty at a jury trial held in April on charges of indecent assault and harassment. According to the affidavit of probable cause, the alleged victim was riding with Dew from a funeral service to the funeral luncheon. Dew told the woman he had to stop at his home and asked if she would help him take care of a stray cat he had taken in, according to the affidavit.

Dew allegedly groped the victim, the affidavit states. The woman was able to leave the building.

“I didn’t do it, your honor,” Dew said at sentencing. “I’m innocent.”

He claimed that the DA’s office told Dew they were out to get him.

Prior convictions include a 2000 conviction for statutory sexual assault, 2014 simple assault conviction that included sexual elements and a 2022 conviction that found Dew guilty of sleeping with his step-daughter in 2013. The Sexual Offender Assessment Board deemed him a sexually violent predator, a finding Hammond affirmed.

Dew was sentenced in this case to over 12 months in state prison

Hammond explained on Friday that the motion for a new trial states that the jury’s verdict was based on an asserted deficiency of evidence. He said that the testimony from the victim was sufficient for the jury in addition to circumstantial evidence presented at trial.

“Certainly the jury could reach the verdict it did,” he said.

Hammond denied the motion and also explained that Dew has filed a direct appeal to the Superior Court.