By The Chronicle staff
A Winlock man faces up to 10 years in prison and $20,000 in fines after he allegedly threw his wife to the ground on Aug. 30.
William A. Swett Jr., 72, was charged with one count of second-degree assault, domestic violence, during a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court Tuesday.
According to court documents, the alleged victim said “she was in their shop when her husband, William Swett, came in and started bickering with her.”
The woman further stated “her husband grabbed her by the arms and threw her on the ground.”
According to court documents, the woman tried unsuccessfully to get up from the ground “for some time,” before she was finally able to do so and call for help.
When questioned by a Lewis County Sheriff’s Office deputy, Swett reportedly stated “his wife grabbed his shirt and he turned around to walk away,” according to court documents.
That’s when his wife “fell down,” according to Swett’s reported statement. The woman was later treated at the hospital, where she was diagnosed with a fracture in her wrist/hand, according to court documents.
During the preliminary hearing, Judge J. Andrew Toynbee set bail at $25,000 cash or bond. A domestic violence no-contact order was entered on behalf of the alleged victim, along with an order to surrender weapons.
According to Deputy Prosecutor Paul Masiello, Swett has a prior assault conviction from 2015 in Clark County involving the same alleged victim.
An arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 4. Albert Didcock has been assigned to represent Swett.
