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Man charged with felonies for alleged knife threat

KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 4 months AGO
by KAYE THORNBRUGH
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. | May 6, 2021 1:00 AM

COEUR d’ALENE — A man is facing multiple felony charges after police said he threatened a woman with a knife.

Richy C. Kelley, 53, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, both felonies.

A woman contacted Coeur d’Alene police Saturday evening to report that Kelley spat in her face and threatened to kill her during an argument at their shared residence.

Several hours later, police responded to a report of another disturbance at the residence.

An elderly woman who also lived at the home told police Kelley had entered her bedroom with a knife, yelled at her and then stabbed her bed as she was lying on it.

Kelley also allegedly picked up a hammer and raised it over his head in a threatening manner.

The woman told police she feared for her life.

Her bedroom door was dented and ripped off its hinges, police said, and the bed was punctured.

The younger woman told police she hid from Kelley in a closet during the second altercation, until she heard what sounded like Kelley slapping the elderly woman.

At that point, she said, she exited the closet and tackled Kelley to the floor while the other woman called 911.

She reportedly restrained Kelley in a headlock until law enforcement arrived.

Kelley told police one of the women had choked him. He had no visible injuries, according to court documents.

The elderly woman was bruised where she said Kelley hit her, according to court documents.

Police arrested Kelley at the scene.

Judge James Combo ordered Monday that Kelley be held on $50,000 bail.

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