A Randle man faces up to 10 years in prison after he allegedly pushed his father down and “kicked him repeatedly” during an argument, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Witnesses at the scene said the man appeared intoxicated at the time.
William L. Patton Jr., 45, is charged with one count of second-degree assault, domestic violence. He made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday.
Patton’s father addressed the court, saying the alleged assault wasn’t the first time Patton had “snapped” on him.
“Each time it seems to get worse,” the man said, adding he was concerned for his and his wife’s safety.
Commissioner Cailen Cecil set Patton’s bail at $25,000 cash or bond, citing concerns for public safety. Cecil granted the state’s requests for a pretrial no-contact order on behalf of the alleged victim and an order for Patton to surrender any dangerous weapons within his possession.
Because Patton and his father live in close proximity to each other — and well within the 1,000-foot restriction specified in the order — Cecil said she’d allow a civil standby permitting Patton to gather his necessary belongings from his home.
Patton has no prior criminal history, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Scott Jackson said.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the reported assault on Aug. 7.
Deputies learned the incident occurred after Patton’s father and mother had gone to the house to confront him. According to the affidavit, Patton had reportedly been arguing with his wife.
Patton’s daughter, “fearful of the way her father was acting,” had called her grandparents for help. Patton and his parents began arguing.
“At one point, the defendant's father stepped in between the defendant and his mother,” the affidavit said. “When this occurred, the defendant pushed his father down.”
According to the affidavit, Patton allegedly “put his arm around his father's neck and kicked him repeatedly.”
Deputies arrested Patton and booked him into the Lewis County Jail at about 12:40 a.m. Aug. 8. He is scheduled for an arraignment on Aug. 13.
