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Charges still pending in Dalton assault case
Published 11:29am Tuesday, April 26, 2011The investigation is still ongoing into James Francis Howard, the man who allegedly inflicted a serious head injury on his mother in Dalton on Saturday, according to Otter Tail County Attorney David Hauser.
Hauser said he wasn’t sure when charges would be filed against Howard, although legally he must be seen by the court by noon on Wednesday.
“We might file (charges) today, but we may wait for tomorrow,” he said.
Currently, Howard is still hospitalized from a neck wound he told law enforcement was self-inflicted, and Hauser said charges may not be filed until Howard is taken to jail, which could happen as soon as today. His hospital room is under guard by the sheriff’s office.
Though Hauser said there is currently enough information to charge Howard, he added that more is rolling in as the sheriff’s office continues to look into the case.
Howard allegedly wounded his mother, Barbara Howard, with a “sharp-edged object,” according to the county sheriff’s office.
The sheriff’s office expects a first degree assault charge and possibly an attempted murder charge.
There is currently another Otter Tail County court case against Howard. He is accused of impersonating a doctor from Lake Region Hospital over the phone to get Adderall from the Sunmart pharmacy.
Tags: assault, Dalton
