Man accused of biting off sixth-grade basketball coach’s ear
Thirty-four-year-old Timothy L. Forbes from Springfield, Mass., surrendered to police Monday after he allegedly bit off a piece of a basketball coach’s ear.
The attack happened during a sixth-grade boys championship basketball game last Friday at the Holy Name School in Springfield.
Forbes allegedly hit the winning coach in the face and body after the game and then bit off part of his left ear. Doctors had to perform emergency surgery on the coach to reattach his severed ear.
It’s not clear why Forbes was at the game other than as a spectator. Police said Forbes is an assistant coach, but the Catholic Youth Organization in Springfield denies that. The name of the injured coach hasn’t been released.
Springfield police said spectators had to pull Forbes off the injured coach. Hampden County Assistant District Attorney Marie Angers said children, who range in age from 10 to 12, were knocked to the ground during the attack.
Police said Forbes ran away, but surrendered on Monday after an arrest warrant was issued.
During his arraignment, Forbes pleaded not guilty to charges of disorderly conduct, assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and mayhem — a felony offense.
He remains in jail without bail until at least Friday when there’s a court hearing to determine whether it’s safe to release him.
Meantime, the injured coach is in “good spirits and focusing on the accomplishment of his team’s performance (Friday) night,” according to a statement from the CYO.
