A Vancouver man has been accused of attempted murder after authorities said he hit another man over the head with a vodka bottle between 25 and 30 times.
The alleged beating is believed to have taken place Wednesday night at the Value Motel in Hazel Dell. A motive wasn’t yet revealed, but police said the two men knew each other.
Alcohol was believed to be a factor, authorities said.
William E. Coultas Jr., 49, made a first court appearance Friday before Clark County Superior Court Judge Diane Woolard, who set his bail at $100,000. Coultas is being held in the Clark County Jail on suspicion of second-degree attempted murder.
The injured man, Presley Ewing, 55, suffered head lacerations and possible internal bleeding and was rushed to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center. He was listed in satisfactory condition Friday morning.
Medics said the laceration was “so severe it was not able to be stitched back together,” according to a probable cause affidavit filed with the court.
Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched about 10:30 a.m. Thursday to the motel, at 708 N.E. 78th St., to find Ewing being treated by medics for facial and head injuries. The room where Ewing was staying had blood spattered on the walls, the ceiling, a bed and a chair, according to court documents.
Deputies questioned Ewing after he was transported to the hospital. He said a man named “Bill” was angry because Ewing told him to leave the room, according to court documents. Ewing said the assault happened about 10 p.m. Wednesday.
Coultas’ roommate then told deputies that Coultas had arrived home at 10:30 p.m. in bloodstained clothing and said he had beaten the victim “until he thought Presley was dead,” according to court documents. Coultas reportedly estimated he inflicted “25 or 30” blows.
The roommate “said that Bill was talking something about ‘Nobody’s going to steal from me,’ but Michael did not know what Bill was talking about,” the affidavit said.
To detectives, Coultas “said words to the effect, ‘Yeah, I was beating him and blood was flying everywhere,’ ” according to the affidavit.
Coultas was found and arrested Thursday evening at a detox facility in Vancouver. He admitted to having been at the Value Motel, but said he didn’t remember what happened, according to the affidavit.
Woolard appointed attorney Gerry Wear to represent Coultas and scheduled an arraignment for July 28.
Laura McVicker: http://twitter.com/col_courts; http://facebook.com/reportermcvicker; laura.mcvicker@columbian.com; 360-735-4516.
