An off-duty Massachusetts State Police trooper was arrested on domestic assault and battery charges over the weekend.
State police arrested the 36-year-old Corey Benoit around 3 a.m. Sunday. He appeared in court Monday morning and was ordered held pending a dangerousness hearing.
The woman involved was taken to Heywood Hospital in Gardner. Benoit allegedly broke her collar bone.
According to the police report, the assault occurred at a birthday party Benoit was hosting for himself at his home in Royalston.
Benoit's lawyer said in court Monday that the woman started the fight by biting Benoit twice. The police report said Benoit then pushed the woman up againt a wall, breaking her collar bone.
"It's unfortunate, but he did not punch her," attorney Leonard Kesten said. "There was no fight. It was a bite followed by a push."
There were two other off-duty state troopers at the party who intervened when Benoit allegedly started punching walls and acting destructive.
State police said Benoit has been relieved of duty and his firearms license was suspended. A hearing will be held on Tuesday to determine his status with state police.
