Taunton Asst. Hockey Coach Released On Bail After Allegedly Attacking Referee
FOXBORO (CBS) -- A high school hockey coach who arrested after a postgame altercation with a referee Wednesday night was ordered by a judge to stay away from youth sporting events.
King Philip High School beat Taunton 9-1 at the Foxboro Sports Center, but it wasn't the players whose frustrations boiled over.
Witnesses said William Kenney III, an assistant coach from Taunton, was upset about an earlier icing call and confronted a referee at center ice. A fight allegedly took place between the two, and a witness said Kenned bit the referee's finger.
During his Thursday arraignment in Wrentham District Court, Kenney pleaded not guilty to Assault and Battery as well as Disorderly Conduct.
A Foxboro police lieutenant who was working a detail shift at the game arrested Kenney.
The Norfolk District Attorney's office said the referee had visible injuries, but declined medical treatment.
Kenney was released on personal recognizance, but a judge said if he is arrested again or violates terms of his bail he could be held without bail for up to 60 days.
Following his Thursday appearance, Griffin did not answer questions from reporters as he quickly left the courtroom.
Zamboni driver Christopher Griffin told WBZ-TV that he witnessed the incident and saw Kenney placed into handcuffs.
"They grabbed collars. They got into a screaming match and I guess the ref was bit on the finger and there was a little fight," Griffin said. "There were some punches. There was a bunch of people. Cops were there."
Taunton Superintendent of Schools Julie Hackett said in a statement to WBZ-TV that the school is looking into the situation.
"We are in the process of investigating an alleged incident that was reported to us this evening concerning an altercation involving an assistant hockey coach," Hackett said.
Kenney is next scheduled to appear in court on March 18 for pre-trial conference.
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