Hammer attack may have hit wrong man

Prosecutors in Lake County hope to file an attempted deliberate homicide charge against a Polson man suspected of hitting a 67-year-old man in the head with a claw hammer.

The suspect apparently mistook the victim for another man he believed owed him money.

Deputy County Attorney James Lapotka filed a motion in District Court on Thursday that also seeks permission to charge Desmond Alan Mackay, 35, with two counts of assault with a weapon for the March 5 attack on John Barrows.

Doctors say it is questionable whether Barrows will survive the severe head injury, according to court records. He is hospitalized in critical condition in Kalispell and has not regained consciousness since the attack.

The affidavit says James Hoskinson told investigators he had been in a garage with Mackay when Jesse Waugh walked in, grabbed a car battery and walked outside. Hoskinson said Mackay then grabbed a hammer, called Waugh’s name and waited by the doorway.

When the door began to open, Hoskinson said Mackay quickly jerked the door open, swung the hammer and hit Barrows in the head, court records said.

Waugh, who was behind Barrows, said he wrestled Mackay to the ground. Hoskinson called 911.

Waugh told officers there had been previous problems between himself and Mackay over work and money, court records said.

Mackay told investigators he hated Waugh and meant to hit him with the hammer, court records said.