Crawford Co Sheriff's Office News Release Sunday DEcember 3rd, 2006

     Crawford County Sheriff, Kirk A. Wakefield reports that on Saturday morning December 2nd, 2006 at approximately 1:15 a.m. Deputies investigated an assault complaint that resulted in the arrest of two Graying area men for “ATTEMPTED MURDER”.

The assault occurred at a residence located in Timberlee Village trailer park in Grayling Township. James K. Barron 45 years old of Roscommon, Mi. a maintenance man at the park. The victim was staying at a trailer when two men came to the door looking for a past resident of the trailer. He had told them that the person they were looking for had moved. The two men had been drinking and asked if he would help them get their truck unstuck from the snow bank down the road on Wood lawn Blvd. Mr. Barron assisted them in getting unstuck and then returned back to the trailer. A short time later the men returned and advised they were stuck again on Lewiston Grade Road and wanted his help, again. When Mr. Barron refused the two men became upset and began to punch and kick him to the floor of the trailer. One of the men grabbed a large butcher knife off the counter in the kitchen where the assault was occurring and they both made verbal statements that they were going to kill him. As Mr. Barron was on the floor being kick he was able to punch the man holding the knife in the groin at which time he got free and ran out of the trailer to a neighbor’s residence who called 911.

Upon Deputies arrival to investigate the assault they located the two suspects near their pickup truck. The two men were identified by the victim and were arrested. The extent of Barron’s injuries were primarily lacerations and contusions to his face.

Prosecuting Attorney John B. Huss reviewed the case and has authorized a different degree of assault charges on each man who are brothers. Suspect One is a 47 year old male of Frederic, who held the knife and is charged with: Count 1- Assault with intent to murder and Count 2- Assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. His bond has been set at $75,000 cash. Suspect Two is a 46 year old male also of Frederic and is charged with: 1 Count- Assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder.   His bond has been set at $50,000 cash. Names of the men can not be released until their arraignment in court which is expected to be on Tuesday December 5, 2006.