A Kalispell man accused of attacking a man he blamed for breaking up his marriage allegedly told authorities he couldn't remember what he described as a "crime of passion."

Prosecutors filed one count of criminal endangerment against Paul Anthony Venche, 43, in Flathead County District Court in connection with the April 12 beating outside a Somers bar. Venche is expected to be arraigned before Judge Danni Coffman on June 5.  

Responding Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies found the victim in "severe pain" outside the watering hole just past midnight, according to court documents. He told investigators he bumped into Venche earlier and the two spoke, but did not argue. Later, they went outside to chat, he said.  

That's when Venche allegedly began punching the victim in the face. After knocking the victim unconscious, Venche started kicking him in the head, court documents said.  

Several people pulled Venche away from the victim until a friend of Venche intervened, according to court documents. Venche allegedly returned to punching and kicking the victim. Then he and his friend hopped into a truck and left.  

Taken to the emergency room, the victim was treated for cuts to his face. Physicians there also noted orbital and nasal fractures, hematoma and trauma to the sinuses, according to court documents.  

The victim, who suffers from ongoing vertigo, double-vision, pain and sleeplessness, may need to undergo reconstructive surgery, court documents said.  

When deputies met with Venche the following day, he told them that he blamed the victim for his marriage falling apart, court documents said. When the pair left the bar to talk, Venche said he began "to see red." 

He allegedly said he remembered little of the night.  

"I don't know, there was something about that night that I couldn't handle it," he told investigators, according to court documents.  

"I know I messed up," he allegedly told them.  

Venche also admitted punching the victim at a different bar about a month prior, court documents said. 

Criminal endangerment is punishable by up to 10 years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].