Man accused of trying to gouge the eyes has reached a plea agreement

A Canaan man accused of trying to gouge the eyes out of a 30-year-old woman two years ago has reached a plea agreement with Essex County State’s Attorney Vince Illuzzi. Scott Barr, 32, will plead guilty to seven charges in exchange for a sentence of 7-15 years to serve in prison, all suspended except for seven years, and a list of probation conditions. Barr was facing a possible life sentence on charges of felony 1st-degree aggravated domestic assault and felony “maiming” for allegedly beating the woman with a box fan, head-butting her face, strangling her and attempting to gouge her eyes out with his fingers. But the plea agreement modified the maiming charge down to unlawful restraint. The aggravated domestic assault charge remains in place, along with five charges of violating conditions of release.