Suspended sentence handed down for hammer assault

A Lakeside man will not see prison time for a grisly case of domestic violence.

Grant Edward Rodgers, 39, was sentenced Thursday in Flathead District Court to five years with the Montana Department of Corrections for felony criminal endangerment, with all of that time suspended. He also must pay $1,800 in fines and fees.

Prosecutor John Donovan noted during sentencing that Rodgers’ case was one where the “course of conduct was egregious.” He requested that Rodgers undergo a mental health evaluation during his sentence.

Flathead District Court Judge David Ortley granted the request.

According to court documents, Flathead County sheriff’s deputies found a woman with a bloody nose and a large lump on their forehead after they responded to a call of a domestic disturbance on May 14, 2014

The woman said that earlier that evening Rodgers told her, “You are going to die.”

The woman also told investigators that Rodgers tried to throw her down a spiral staircase. She then ran down the stairs and Rodgers followed.

She said that he then grabbed her by the head and slammed her face into a door frame, and hit her several times after that.

At one point during the assault, Rodgers asked a child to bring him a hammer. Rodgers then struck the woman several times with it, according to her report to police.

Regional Deputy Public Defender Nick Aemisegger said that the victim did not seek restitution and was informed of the sentencing recommendation.

“The victim is on board with this recommendation as well,” Aemisegger said.

Rodgers told the judge that he is trying to move forward in his life.

“I just want to be able to provide for my children,” Rodgers said.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.