W .Mass. golf pro accused of assaulting officer

CHICOPEE, Mass. (AP) -- A top local golfer and former state court officer has been charged with attempted murder and other offenses for allegedly beating a Chicopee police officer responding to reports of a domestic dispute.

Jay DiRico is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Chicopee District Court on charges including assault with intent to murder, assault and battery on a police officer with serious injury; and domestic assault and battery.

Police say the 40-year-old DiRico punched Officer Jeffrey Couture repeatedly in the head after the patrolman stepped between DiRico and a woman on Sunday. Couture required hospitalization and stitches for facial injuries.

Police tell The Republican that DiRco has mixed martial arts training and has been a golf club pro in western Massachusetts.

It was unclear if DiRico has an attorney.

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