FAIRMONT, W.Va. — A West Virginia man is accused of striking a woman 10 times with a rubber mallet, fracturing her skull, authorities said.
James Robert Treece, 38, of Fairmont, was charged with malicious assault, according to Marion County online records.
According to a criminal complaint, deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Department were called to a residence in Fairmont on Dec. 18, WBOY-TV reported.
Man charged after allegedly hitting woman 10 times with rubber mallet https://t.co/G8gUBOmJnU
— WBOY 12News (@WBOY12News) December 21, 2021
Deputies intercepted a vehicle and made contact with Treece, who was driving, the television station reported. Deputies said Treece was attempting to flee the scene.
At the residence, deputies said the woman’s head “was bleeding profusely” with multiple welts and bruises, WDTV-TV reported. The victim was bruised on her back, head and left eye, according to the television station.
The woman’s left eye was nearly swollen shut from being struck, deputies said.
The woman claimed that Treece struck her with the rubber mallet “approximately 10 times” outside the residence, WBOY reported. She claimed she lost consciousness, the television station reported.
According to the criminal complaint, medical personnel said the victim “appeared to have a skull fracture.”
Treece was arrested and is being held in North Central Regional Jail, WBOY reported. Bail was set at $100,012.
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