Ex-Mayor Accused of Assaulting Officer

The former mayor of Chicopee, Massachusetts, is facing trial for allegedly assaulting a city police officer last year.

A judge on Thursday scheduled ex-Mayor Michael Bissonnette's trial for April 4.

Bissonnette faces four misdemeanor charges, including assaulting a police officer and disorderly conduct, in connection with the confrontation with police Lt. John Pronovost on Sept. 8 at a city polling site.

The dispute started when the officer asked Bissonnette, who was seeking re-election, to remove a campaign sticker, believing he was in violation of a law that bars campaigning too close to a voting site.

The men got into a shouting match and insulted each other.

Bissonnette's lawyer says the men shouted face to face but there was no physical contact and he is confident his client will be exonerated.