The charge of assault with intent to murder against former Wareham basketball star Jules Tavares was dropped in New Bedford District Court earlier this month.

Tavares, 22, was arrested on March 10 in connection with a violent attack on his then girlfriend in March of 2014. He allegedly dragged her into his New Bedford apartment in the early morning hours of March 29, 2014, and repeatedly beat her, at one point choking her and saying, "I'm going to kill you."

Bristol County DA spokesman Gregg Miliote said the assault with intent to murder charge can't be tried at the District Court level.

While the felony charge of attempted murder had to be dropped, Miliote said prosecutors wanted to amend the complaint and charge Tavares with felony strangulation, a new domestic violence charge signed into law by the governor last August. But because the incident happened in March 2014, prior to creation of the new law, prosecutors were unable to charge Tavares with the new felony strangulation.

"For legal reasons the assault with intent to murder charge had to be nol pros [will not prosecute]," Miliote said. "He's still facing serious charges and we're continuing forward with with his case."

Tavares is still charged with two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and one count of witness intimidation.

One of the leaders of the 2010 Division III State Championship Wareham High School basketball team, Tavares allegedly hit his girlfriend as she entered the apartment, slapping and hitting her in front of other people in the apartment, who didn't answer her pleas for help. At one point, Tavares allegedly hit the victim with a piece of wood that had broken off a door during the altercation.

His next court date is June 12 in New Bedford District Court.