BERKSHIRE EAGLE- June 25, 2015

PITTSFIELD >> It took jurors a little less than a half-hour to acquit a Pittsfield man of an assault and battery charge from last year. Andrew Bates, 29, was found not guilty by a Jury of Six on Tuesday, according to his attorney, Marc Vincelette. "Mr. Bates is extremely satisfied the jury made the right decision," Vincelette said in a statement.

Prosecutors alleged that on March 13, 2014, Bates kicked in the bathroom door of a woman and assaulted her before fleeing the scene. Vincelette argued that Bates was packing his clothes when the woman attacked him, punching him in the face and jaw three times. Bates said he pushed the woman's shoulder in self-defense and admitted he kicked the bathroom door on his way out, but denied any physical assault against the woman.

Bates was arrested a few hours later in Lee and brought back and placed into the custody of the Pittsfield Police Department.