BROCKTON, MASS. (WHDH) - Police have arrested a man they say killed a man by striking him over the head with a shovel inside a Brockton apartment.
Michael Pircio, 39, was arraigned Tuesday on a murder charge in connection with the death of his neighbor, 29-year-old William James Porter.
Authorities said Pircio struck Porter over the head during an altercation inside the victim’s apartment at about 1 a.m. Tuesday.
Pircio told investigators that he thought Porter was assaulting his girlfriend, which prompted the violent attack.
Mary Hill, Pircio’s girlfriend, said he was defending her and should not be charged with murder.
“He’s a good person,” Hill said. “I was sexually assaulted and violently attacked.”
Hill said Porter was drunk and started assaulting her when she asked to use his phone.
“He acted in my defense,” Hill said of Pircio. “He picked up an item and hit him with it.”
Porter was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police said Hill had admitted to using heroin before the alleged assault took place.
Pircio was ordered held without bail.
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