Cape man faces first-degree assault charges

A woman was severely beaten in Cape Girardeau over the weekend, and her alleged attacker was charged and held in lieu of a $50,000 bond.

Michael A. Triplett, 21, of 312 W. Lorimier St., was charged with felony A first-degree assault for the early Sunday morning beating.

The 28-year-old woman was attacked during a confrontation with Triplett in the area of Jefferson Avenue and Ellis Street, police spokesman Jason Selzer said.

The victim told police she owed Triplett $20 for a drug debt, according to a probable-cause statement filed in the case. When the woman could not pay Triplett the money, he demanded oral sex from her, which she refused.

Triplett punched her in the face numerous times until she fell to the ground, where he kicked and stomped her, the statement read.

She passed out during the beating, according to Selzer. When the woman awoke, she walked to Don's Store 24, 341 S. Sprigg St., and the police were called at 3:15 a.m., he said.

The woman suffered a broken nose, broken orbital bone and had several lacerations on her arms and face, the probable-cause statement read. While being interviewed by police, she slipped in and out of consciousness, police said.

She was treated and released from a local hospital.