Man accused of beating amputee's face with hammer

A Scott City man is set for arraignment next month on charges he beat an amputee in the face with a hammer and stole his prescription medications.

Dustin T. Smith, 27, faces charges of first-degree assault, armed criminal action, burglary and robbery in connection with the Dec. 28 confrontation.

The victim told police Smith had come over to use the laundry when he became agitated and refused to leave until he found some of his personal property and $50, according to a probable-cause affidavit written by Scott City police Sgt. Jacob Marberry.

The victim said Smith then assaulted him with a hammer and "another hammer-shaped item," stole some pain medication and Klonopin -- an anti-anxiety drug -- and fled, Marberry wrote.

"[The victim] advised the assault had occurred approximately 30 minute(s) before. [He] was unable to call the police because he is an amputee and was unable to move from his chair," Marberry wrote. "He yelled until his son woke up and was able to call police."

Marberry arrived to find the victim sitting on the kitchen floor, his face and mouth bleeding and his face swollen below both eyes, with blood in several places on the floor, Marberry wrote.

Smith, who was arrested later that night, gave Marberry a different version of events.

According to the affidavit, Smith told Marberry he had gone to the victim's home to use his washer and dryer and fill some jugs with water in exchange for methamphetamine -- a common practice because Smith did not have water hooked up at his home.

Smith told Marberry he and the victim got into an altercation when he couldn't find his cellphone.

Smith said the victim told him to leave, but he still had laundry in the dryer and didn't want to leave until he found his phone, Marberry wrote.

"Smith stated [the victim] then attacked him. He advised [the victim] lunged out of his electric wheelchair and tackled him to the ground," Marberry wrote. "Smith stated [the victim] swung a small 'crowbar' at him and struck him in the arms. Smith stated he punched [the victim] one time, then held the crowbar to prevent from being hit."

At the time of his arrest, Smith's only visible injury was a small bruise on his left arm, Marberry wrote.

The victim, whose ex-wife later took him to Saint Francis Medical Center, was diagnosed with fractures to his nose and eye socket, Marberry wrote.

At a preliminary hearing Wednesday, Judge Scott Horman found probable cause to send the case to trial.

Arraignment is set for Feb. 13 in Scott County Circuit Court.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Scott City, Missouri