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The head of the caddies at the ultra-exclusive Maidstone Club in East Hampton was choked to death by an underling — during an argument after they watched a golf tournament, according to police and reports.
Kevin Somers, 45, the “caddy master” at the famed Long Island club, was at fellow employee Marc Dern’s home Feb. 5 when the boss was found dead, cops said.
About five days later, Dern,34, was taken into custody and charged with one count of manslaughter in the first degree, police said.
During Dern’s arraignment in Southampton on Friday, prosecutors said the two were drinking and enjoying watching a golf tournament on television when they got into an “altercation” after the program ended, the Southampton Press reported
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Dern allegedly punched Somers in the face and then put him into a chokehold, breaking a small bone in the victim’s throat that asphyxiated him, prosecutors said, according to the outlet.
Authorities allege that Dern left Somers on the front porch for three hours before calling 911 and told cops he felt his buddy’s body go limp while he was choking him.
Dern’s lawyer, John Ray, disputed the prosecutor’s claim that Somers had been left out on the porch, arguing that emergency responders told police his body was still warm when they arrived.
“If a man was lying from 7:30 to 10:30 dead, his skin would not be warm,” Ray said during the hearing. “That’s just common sense.”
Dern was held on $500,000 bail, and the case is expected to be presented to a grand jury next week, prosecutors said.
The ritzy club where the men worked has long counted a sprawling list of rich and famous members, including Jets owner Woody Johnson, Paul McCartney and Chevy Chase – one of the stars of the “Caddyshack’’ comedy flick that featured Bill Murray as a crazy golf-club groundskeeper trying to kill a devilish gopher.
Relatives of Somers, and Dern’s lawyer, couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
Since Somers’ death, his family has set up a GoFundMe to start a scholarship in the caddy master’s name.
“In honor of Kevin Somers’ life, this site has been created to continue his legacy of sporting excellence for local student-athletes,” the GoFundMe reads.
“All who knew Kevin were aware of his enthusiasm, compassion, dedication, and generosity towards family, friends, and community. In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting a donation to The Kevin Somers Scholarship fund,” the site says.
Additional reporting by Elizabeth Rosner
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