North Adams Man Charged With Attempted Murder

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A Chase Avenue man is accused of attempted murder of his wife after allegedly "bashed her head in."

 

Michael Cook Sr., 42, of Chase Avenue was arraigned in Northern Berkshire District Court on single counts of assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and assault and battery on a family or household member, according to the district attorney's office.

 

Judge Jennifer Tyne ordered Cook to be held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on July 17. Cook's wife was treated for life-threatening injuries at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.

 

According to court documents filed by the North Adams Police, Cook allegedly called 911 at 1:08 a.m. asking for dispatch to send an ambulance. When responding officers arrived Cook allegedly told them "I committed a pretty bad crime."

 

In the bedroom, officers found his wife bleeding from a head injury, rocking back and forth, and was not responding to verbal stimuli. Police claim she had "coagulated blood on her head and the back of her head was actively bleeding." There was a large wound on the back of her head.

 

Blood would found on a dresser, which Police think could have been used as a weapon.

 

Police put pressure on the wound until an ambulance arrived. Police say she was transported to Berkshire Medical Center and later to Baystate, where she underwent life-saving surgery. Police say she is in critical condition in intensive care after suffering a skull fracture and placed in a coma.

 

Police say Cook admitted to the crime on the scene saying "I just snapped for a minute."

 

According to court records, Cook has a history of domestic violence. In 2015, he was charged with assault and battery after allegedly assaulting his wife. That case was dismissed. In 2016, his wife had filed for a restraining order against him, claiming he assaulted her multiple times and mentally abused her.