Iowa woman and teen accused of attacking man with hatchet in act of apparent revenge
12/28/2021 12:39 pm PST
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (TCD) -- A 52-year-old woman and 16-year-old male stand accused of attacking a man in Sioux City with a hatchet earlier this month.
According to a news release from the Sioux City Police Department, on Dec. 18 at approximately 6:55 a.m., officers responded to the Dean Apartments on Nebraska Street for a report of a stabbing.
On the scene, authorities reportedly located a 61-year-old victim who said he was in his apartment when his brother opened the door for a woman they both knew. Police said, "Once the door was opened, a male entered and struck the victim with a hatchet on his shoulder causing a life-threatening injury."
Police said the victim was transported to the hospital for surgery. He reportedly suffered a broken bone but returned home to recover from his injuries.
Upon further investigation, police say Mary Blair, the suspect, had gotten into an argument with the victim, and he forced her to leave his apartment.
According to the Sioux City Journal, surveillance video revealed Blair letting the teen, later identified as Malachi Bassette of Winnebago, Neb., into the locked apartment complex. They reportedly had a short conversation in the stairwell before going to the victim’s unit. The Sioux City Journal reports that Blair knocked on the door and stepped to the side so that Bassette could enter.
In an interview with police, the Sioux City Journal reports that when Bassette entered the victim’s unit, Blair claimed to have blacked out. Blair reportedly called Bassette her protector and added that he was angry with the victim for forcing her out of the apartment.
According to police, Blair was arrested Dec. 25 and charged with first-degree burglary, going armed with intent, assault while participating in a felony, and willful injury — causing serious injury. Blair remains held in the Woodbury County Jail on a $60,000 bond.
Bassette was arrested Dec. 27 and charged with first-degree burglary, going armed with intent, assault while participating in a felony, and willful injury — causing serious injury. He was booked into the Woodbury County Jail and charged as an adult but remains held in the Woodbury County Juvenile Detention Center.
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