Hatchet attack results in reduced charge for Kalispell man

A Kalispell man accused of attacking another man with a hatchet and throwing a knife at a police officer in August 2010 pleaded guilty but mentally ill to a reduced charge Thursday in Flathead District Court.

Jerome Hamous, 68, wore a bandage around his neck and did not speak Thursday, instead nodding his head in response to questions from Judge Stewart Stadler.

Hamous cut his own throat with a utility knife after police arrived on the night of Aug. 20 after reports that he had attacked a 74-year-old man with a hatchet at his apartment complex on Two Mile Drive, according to court documents.

The victim was not seriously injured because his son blunted the blow by striking Hamous with a chair, according to police.

Hamous also threw a knife at a Kalispell police officer, but missed, according to court documents. He was Tased and taken to a hospital for treatment.

The Flathead County Attorney’s Office reduced two felony charges of assault with a weapon to a single charge of criminal endangerment as part of a plea agreement signed by Hamous.

Hamous was sent to the Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs for treatment after he initially pleaded innocent on Aug. 25. He was returned to the Flathead County Detention Center April 7 and remains in custody.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Hamous will return to Warm Springs for an evaluation to help determine how he should be sentenced.

If it’s determined that he was mentally ill at the time of the attack, he likely will serve a six-year suspended sentence with the Department of Health and Human Services. Otherwise, he could be sentenced to a suspended term with the Department of Corrections.

“So long as you’re treatable in the community (you) would be on probation for six years,” Stadler said.

County Attorney Ed Corrigan said he has no doubt Hamous was delusional and mentally ill on the day of his arrest.

“I’m not sure he fully recalls or can accurately describe what happened that day,” Corrigan said.

His attorney Vickie Frazier asked Hamous a series of questions and he nodded that he understood the charge and the possible sentences.

Frazier asked if he had intended to attack the man he’s accused of striking with a hatchet.

“I understand it was your intention just to lightly tap the individual on the shoulder,” Fazier said, to which Hamous nodded affirmatively.

Hamous is scheduled to be sentenced June 9.