A Pittsfield man was in court Friday, charged with beating his girlfriend to death. According to police reports, this is not the first time the man's been accused of hitting someone.

Trying to hold back tears, 41-year-old David Vincent appeared before a Berkshire County judge, charged with murdering his live in girlfriend. Pittsfield Police arrested Vincent when they were called to his 4th Street apartment and discovered his girlfriend 27-year-old Rebecca Moulton barely breathing.

Vincent had originally been charged with assault and battery but it quickly changed to murder after Moulton died from a brain injury just a few hours later. Neighbors saw the woman being taken out of the home on a stretcher, covered in blood. "She was beat bad, there were bruises on her legs, her face looked sunken in, and it looked like her dread locks had been pulled of her head, " says Moulton's neighbor, Tricia.

Vincent told police he and Moulton were arguing over money. He later admitted to shaking and slapping her. Vincent's attorney says he's distraught over what happened. "He seems mute, he's seems upset, he's been crying over the death of a woman very close to him, " says Attorney William Rota.

But according to a police report, this is not the first time Vincent has been arrested for assault and battery. Back in November, he was also arrested for beating Moulton. His 14-year-old daughter called police after she witnessed her father kicking and punching the woman.

Moulton told police he threatened to kill her, but she refused a restraining order. Records show Vincent has an extensive record, others have taken out eight restraining orders against him. Moulton's neighbors say it's a decision that ultimately cost her her life.