Court: Cohasset man killed at own birthday party

COHASSET, Mass. (WHDH) -- Investigators said a man was killed at his own birthday party after a dispute in a Cohasset home Tuesday night.

John McDonough, 45, was arraigned on manslaughter charges in Quincy District Court on Wednesday after he allegedly killed his brother-in-law during a family gathering.

“There was a party, the alleged victim got out of control and became violent and unfortunately he had to be subdued,” said defense attorney Robert Harneis.

A police report says the victim -- a 45-year-old man who lived with his father on Cape Cod -- had been drinking, became "increasingly loud, and began swearing...went into a rage and hit someone over the head with a chair."

At that point, McDonough apparently intervened. Witnesses at the home told police a physical fight eventually broke out between McDonough and the victim. They said McDonough placed the victim in a headlock.

Police responded to the King Street home just before 9 p.m. to find the victim unresponsive just inside the front door, with a cut on the bridge of his nose. He was taken to the South Shore hospital where he died hours later.

It is unclear how the fight resulted in the victim's death, and if the two men had fought in the past.

Lawyers will not say if it was an act of self defense.

“Everything will come out. I think when this all comes out you’ll see it was an unfortunate incident,” said Harneis.

McDonough -- the former owner of the Rugged Bear Company -- was supported by family members in court.

“He’s doing well, again it’s a tragedy for the family as a whole,” said Harneis.

A source close to the case told 7News that the victim had a restraining order taken against him in the past.

McDonough’s lawyer says his family posted the $50,000 cash bail. He is due back in court on June 27.