Man accused of biting off part of ear in Montgomery pub fight

A late-night removal at Copperfields Kildare Pub in Montgomery turned into a violent arrest when police say William “Billy” Hassler, 47, was asked to leave the Clinton Street bar and instead attacked another man, biting off part of his ear. Town of Montgomery police said the confrontation unfolded Friday at the pub, 93 Clinton St., where Hassler had previously been trespassed.

Officers were called to the scene at about 10:26 p.m. after a report of a physical fight, and police said several people tried to restrain Hassler before they arrived. Investigators said the struggle escalated inside the familiar downtown venue, where the kitchen serves until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, before turning into a serious assault case that drew in multiple agencies.

Police said Hassler kicked one officer multiple times and spat in the officer’s face as he was taken into custody. The Town of Montgomery Police Department was assisted by New York State Police, the Village of Montgomery Police Department and the Town of Montgomery Ambulance Corps, underscoring how quickly a bar removal can become a multi-agency response in the Village of Montgomery.

Hassler was charged with first-degree assault, a Class B felony, second-degree assault, a Class D felony, and trespass, a violation. He was remanded to Orange County Jail after arraignment on bail set at $10,000 cash, $20,000 secured bond or $50,000 partially secured bond.

The case puts the focus on repeat trespass enforcement and the risks businesses face when a banned patron returns after closing time. In a small commercial stretch like Clinton Street, a routine request to leave can quickly become a public-safety call with injuries, arrests and jail processing.