Two accused of clubbing man
KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 1 month AGO
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | December 22, 2020 1:00 AM
COEUR d’ALENE — Two men are being held on $100,000 bail each after police said they beat another man with a club.
Coeur d’Alene residents Jeremy R. Guffey, 31, and Chance L. Preston, 26, are charged with aggravated battery and attempted burglary, both felonies. The men are also charged with conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery.
Police responded last Wednesday evening to the Coeur d’Alene residence of a man who said three men had attacked him with a club-like device and threatened to kill him.
The man told police he had argued with his ex-girlfriend earlier in the day. His ex’s adult son, identified as Preston, allegedly came to the residence after the argument, accompanied by two other men.
Preston entered the man’s bedroom and told him to leave the home, according to court records. When the man refused, he said Preston began to strike him in the head with a club-like object while the other men punched and kicked him. He said the attack lasted about 30 seconds.
The man’s face was bruised and covered in blood, police said. There were bloodstains on the bed where he said he was attacked.
Several hours later, the man contacted police again. He said the men who beat him were attempting to kick in his door.
Preston and Guffey were walking away from the back door when police arrived at the residence, according to court documents. Guffey was allegedly holding a hammer, while Preston held a flashlight.
Police held the men at gunpoint until backup arrived, then detained them.
Preston told police he went to the residence with Guffey earlier that day to retrieve some belongings and argued with the man who lived there, but denied any physical altercation.
According to court documents, he said his mom asked him to come to the residence that night, but when he arrived, he found the door was barricaded.
Guffey told police Preston had asked him for help getting into his residence. He denied being at the residence hours earlier.
Police arrested Preston and Guffey at the scene.
Guffey was previously convicted of aggravated assault in Kootenai County in 2014, according to court documents.
Judge Mayli Walsh ordered Thursday that Guffey and Preston be held on $100,000 bail and issued a no contact order between the two men and the victim.
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