who let the dogs out - rumble
Josh Grispi
In August, 2014 former UFC fighter
Josh Grispi (28) was arrested in what one police officer dubbed, “the worst case of domestic abuse I’ve ever seen.” Since then he had been held without bail; initially at Barnstable County jail in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. After his trial concluded this week, Grispi was handed a five-and-a-half year prison sentence.
Police from Middleboro County were first called to Grispi’s home on August 1st, 2014 -
according to a report in the Hingham Patch.
The Taunton Gazette claims this was in response to Grispi’s mother-in-law visiting a police station with images of her daughter which she said showed evidence of domestic abuse. At Grispi’s home police interviewed his wife Kaitlyn and searched the premises. Around the house they found three handguns, two rifles, and an assault rifle, all of which were improperly stored. Grispi was also deemed to be lacking the correct licenses to own the firearms.
After the visit, police booked Grispi on one count of domestic assault and battery and a litany of gun charges. After the arrest Kaitlyn Grispi obtained an emergency restraining order against Grispi. Grispi then posted bail. Kaitlyn Grispi decided not to extend the restraining order against him, saying she “thought Joshua would be better,” according to court documents.
Three days later police were called out to Grispi’s home again, after a 911 call was made by Grispi’s neighbor. According to the
Taunton Gazette the neighbor had been sheltering Kaitlyn Grispi after she escaped a
brutal attack at the hands and feet of her husband, as well as his dog.
This incident allegedly began when Grispi grew irate over not being able to find a pile of wood. In fear of what her husband might do, Kaitlyn Grispi fled their home and hid under a bush. However, Grispi noticed her and, according to
Hingham Patch, grabbed her before punching her in the head repeatedly and forcing her back into their home. Once inside, the attack continued with Grispi yelling, “Do you want me to kill you?”
The
Tauton Gazette stated that Grispi then set his dog Buddy (a bull terrier) onto Kaitlyn, which bit her repeatedly on the leg. Grispi had apparently trained the dog to attack in such a manner. Grispi was also known to choke the dog unconscious after such attacks. Kaitlyn Grispi was eventually able to escape her home and make it to her neighbor’s house; where the 911 call was made. During this incident the Grispis' two young children were staying with their maternal grandparents.
Police arrested Grispi and charged him with assault and battery and a number of other offenses. This past week’s trial saw Grispi face charges relating to incidents from both August 1st and August 4th. He also faced charges in relation to
his conduct while incarcerated. After five hours of jury deliberation, he was found guilty of the following crimes:
- Seven counts of improper storage of a firearm.
- Five counts of assault and battery.
- Two counts of threatening to commit a crime.
- Eight counts of witness intimidation.
- Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
- Malicious damage to a motor vehicle.
- Attempt to procure perjury.
For the litany of offenses the District Attorney’s office requested eight to ten years in a state prison. However, the judge dispensed a sentence of five-and-a-half years in prison and five years probation.
Grispi fought in the UFC between 2011 and 2013, losing all of his four bouts within the promotion (versus
Dustin Poirier,
George Roop,
Rani Yahya, and
Andy Ogle). His last professional fight occurred at
UFC on Fuel TV 7 - Barao vs. McDonald in February 2013. Prior to joining the UFC, Grispi had a 14-1 record that included wins over
Mark Hominick and
Jens Pulver in the WEC.