Troy man charged with assault with a weapon after late-night incident

A 34-year-old Troy man is facing a felony charge after allegedly attacking another man during a late-night confrontation on Oct. 19.

Caleb B. Kelso has been charged with felony assault with a weapon and misdemeanor assault, according to Troy Police. If convicted, he faces 20 years in prison and over $50,000 in fines. His bail was set at $75,000.

Kelso appeared Monday, Nov. 17, in Lincoln County District Court and pleaded not guilty to both charges.

According to the court filing, an officer was dispatched at 12:11 a.m. to an assault in progress on the 300 block of East Spokane Avenue. While driving to the location, the officer spotted a man moving through an alleyway. The man—later identified as Kelso—was found wearing a blue jacket and hiding inside a blue shed.

When asked what happened, Kelso told the officer he had been assaulted by a man named “Bill,” who was later identified as the alleged victim. Kelso claimed the two had gotten into a verbal argument and that the victim attacked him with an axe, prompting Kelso to defend himself.

Kelso was detained while the officer gathered more information. The officer then located the victim, who had visible injuries to his hands and face and was bleeding heavily, according to the report.

The victim told police that when he entered his bedroom, he found Kelso inside “rambling incoherently.” After closing the door, he said, Kelso attacked him without provocation.

During the investigation, the officer reported that Kelso admitted he had been in possession of a knife but said he no longer knew where it was. Police said no knife was found at the scene and believe Kelso may have discarded it before the officer arrived.

An axe was found in the victim’s bedroom. Police said it may have been involved in the altercation, though its exact role remains unclear.

Given the presence of potential weapons and conflicting accounts, Kelso was arrested at the scene.