Criminal charges against a Vancouver man accused of repeatedly stomping on a man’s head were dismissed Thursday in Clark County Superior Court.
James F. Hobbs, 30, was facing a charge of second-degree assault in connection with the allegations. He was scheduled to begin trial on Monday.
Deputy Prosecutor Michael Vaughn said in an interview that he filed a motion Thursday to have the charge dismissed without prejudice, meaning it could be filed at a later date.
He said the prosecution conducted pretrial interviews Wednesday with the alleged victim’s family and eyewitnesses, and determined there was insufficient evidence to move forward with trial at this time.
Hobbs was arrested July 2 after the alleged victim’s father contacted police, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Superior Court. The man’s son, Wendall Williams, was reportedly taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center with a fractured skull, court records said.
Williams reportedly told police that he went to Hobbs’ residence at 4521 N.E. 123rd Ave. in Vancouver to pick up his two younger brothers. When he knocked on the door, Hobbs answered and would not let him in. Williams said he walked past Hobbs and that Hobbs punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground. He then stomped on his head about 10 times and threw him outside. He said he was unsure how he got home, the affidavit said.
