Man charged in alleged eye-gouging attack

A Kalispell man is facing felony attempted aggravated assault and burglary charges after he allegedly threw a propane tank through a window and tried to kill a relative by gouging out his eyeballs.

A $40,000 warrant was issued by Flathead District Judge Robert Allison on Wednesday for Matthew Turner Jr., 29.

According to court documents, on Aug. 29 Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies were called to Rocky Cliff Drive where a double amputee was found on the floor, with Turner standing near the man on the floor.

Deputies separated the men. The alleged victim told deputies that he had been having trouble with Turner and told him to get off the property and leave the family alone. The man said that he called 911 when Turner allegedly returned. Turner then reportedly tried to kick the front door open and threw a propane tank through a large window to gain access to the house.

Turner allegedly began attacking the man, but the man had difficulty defending himself because of his disability. Deputies noted that both the man’s eyes were bloodshot and the collar of his shirt was ripped.

The deputies spoke to Turner, who allegedly told them that the alleged victim was making Turner’s life difficult and that he did not want to deal with it any more. He allegedly told investigators that he had tried to kill the man, but that his fingers had not been able to reach deep enough into the man’s eyeballs.

Turner is set for arraignment on Sept. 22.

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