Austin man pleads not guilty to breaking broom handle over stepson’s head

Published 8:11 am Friday, March 9, 2012

A 25-year-old Austin man who allegedly hit his 21-year-old stepson in the head with a broom handle pleaded not guilty Thursday to two charges in Mower County Court.

Matthew Lewis pleaded not guilty to felony domestic assault and fifth degree felony domestic assault. According to the court complaint, he was convicted of domestic assault in June 2009 and fifth-degree attempted assault in April 2010.

He was arrested after police responded to a home at the 300 block of First Street SE about 1:38 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, according to Police Chief Brian Krueger.

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Lewis was reportedly angry after failing to find his copy of the video game “Madden 2009.” He approached the stepson, who lives in the home with his own son, while they were watching TV. After turning the TV off, Lewis demanded to know where the video game was, according to Krueger. Krueger said the two got into a heated argument, which ended when Lewis struck the victim on the right side of his head with a broom handle and fled the residence.

Police arrested Lewis a short time later, after he allegedly ran from police and was hiding behind a tree near Driesner Park. The victim refused medical attention, according to Krueger.

Lewis’ pre-trial is set for May 25.