By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – A Lewis County jury took three hours to find a 60-year-old man guilty in the case of a Centralia man whose nose was smashed by a small sledge hammer when a neighbor got upset about his loud music.
The neighbor, Morris R. Keith Jr., was convicted yesterday of second-degree assault with a deadly weapon. The jury found him not guilty of first-degree burglary – police said the assault took place in the victim’s garage – and of felony harassment.
Lewis County Superior Court Judge Richard Brosey allowed Keith to remain free on $25,000 bail until he is sentenced.
Keith was arrested the night of May 31 after the events at the 1300 block of Central Boulevard. Court documents recounted the doctor at the emergency room saying it was the worst broken nose he’d ever seen.
The trial began on Tuesday and ended yesterday with the mixed verdict.
Keith is expected back in court on Thursday when the court will schedule a date for him to be sentenced.
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For background, read “Sledge hammer to face incident draws serious charges” from Tuesday June 2, 2015, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter