Forbes is charged with mayhem; assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (teeth) causing serious bodily injury; and assault and battery.
SPRINGFIELD – Jose Feliciano testified Monday he has no idea why Timothy Forbes bit off part of his ear after a youth basketball game.
The trial of Forbes, 34, of Springfield, began Monday in front of Hampden Superior Court Judge Constance M. Sweeney.
Timothy Forbes Forbes is charged with mayhem; assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (teeth) causing serious bodily injury; and assault and battery.
Sweeney explained to prospective jurors mayhem means assault and battery with a specific intent to maim or disfigure.
Feliciano, 35, of West Springfield, said he was coaching the Migs - a team of fifth and sixth graders - at a Catholic Young Organization championship game March 9.
He said Forbes, who he knew only through youth basketball, was sitting on the bench of the other team - the Heat - so he thought Forbes was one of the coaches of the Heat that night.
Feliciano said he had coached two of Forbes’ children on teams in the past and there had been no bad feelings between Forbes and himself.
Feliciano said his team won the game by 15 or 20 points, and both teams lined up as usual to pass by each other and slap or shake hands in camaraderie.
He said he was at the end of his team’s line when Forbes got in a fighting stance and “came at me kicking and swinging.”
Feliciano said he put his hands up and was walking backwards away from Forbes but Forbes got him “locked in” in a bear hug and “I felt his teeth clamp down on my left ear.”
He said he heard the tissue in his ear breaking, making a “crunching noise” and then felt his ear tear.
In his opening statement Assistant District Attorney Max Bennett told jurors they would hear medical testimony that doctors could not reattach the section of Feliciano’s ear despite it being brought to the hospital with him.
Defense lawyer Vincent A. Bongiorni told jurors they will find that no one they hear testify saw the whole incident, with each seeing a piece of what happened.
He said there was chaos at the Holy Name School gymnasium with 50 to 100 people all around Feliciano and Forbes.
Bongiorni said there is no question that part of Feliciano’s ear was severed. He said the jury’s task is to determine “how and under what circumstances that injury occurred.”
Bongiorni, cross-examining Feliciano, asked him if it is true in youth basketball championships “it’s pretty highly competitive.”
Feliciano acknowledged there could be intense competition, but said he coaches to teach youth the game.
Feliciano said Forbes' two sons, who played on the Heat, both were fouled out of the game when the Heat was ahead.
After that the Migs won, Feliciano acknowledged to Bongiorni.
Bongiorni quizzed Feliciano about whether a punch by Forbes ever hit his face. Feliciano said he could not recall.
“You were never acting in an aggressive manner?” Bongiorni asked Feliciano.
“No,” Feliciano answered.
Bongiorni asked if Feliciano has trouble hearing since the incident and Feliciano said he did not.
Next to testify was Angel Velez, who was the Migs assistant coach that night.
He said he was right ahead of Feliciano in the line of players but did not know what was happening until a young player pointed it out.
Velez said he saw Feliciano backing up and Forbes started punching and kicking.
He said he and other people were trying to get the men apart as Forbes held onto Feliciano.
The trial is scheduled to continue Tuesday.