Man faces attempted murder in alleged beating of employee

A Vancouver man allegedly beat his employee nearly to death with a wrench after an argument broke out between the two over work hours being cut, according to court records.

Levi K. Griffith, 38, appeared Wednesday in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of attempted second-degree murder and first-degree assault stemming from the Oct. 6 incident. He wore a suicide-prevention smock, which are given to prisoners who may try to harm themselves with standard jail clothing.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Clark County sheriff’s deputies responded to a home in the 6000 block of Northeast 112th Avenue for a reported assault and found William Sanford lying face down in the gravel next to a van. The man’s head was swollen and covered in blood from numerous lacerations. His face also was covered in blood and swollen, and his left eye was not visible, the affidavit states.

Deputy Tom Maxfield asked Sanford who did this to him, and he replied, “Levi.” No one witnessed the assault, but people said Griffith was present before they heard Sanford screaming for help, court records said.

Sanford was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Medical staff told deputies that Sanford suffered a skull fracture and many facial fractures, as well as internal injuries. His entire sinus area was crushed, and nothing remained of his left eye socket. They said it’s likely he will lose his left eye, according to court documents.

Sanford told deputies that he does auto mechanic work for Griffith and that Griffith kept cutting his hours. Sanford said they got into an argument over it, and Griffith allegedly threatened Sanford’s family, court records said. Sanford told him to “(expletive) off,” he said, and that’s when Griffith grabbed a wrench and struck him four to six times, the affidavit said.

On Wednesday, the prosecution said Griffith was arrested last week in Troutdale, Ore., on a warrant.

Judge Scott Collier appointed Griffith an attorney and set his bail at $200,000. He will be arraigned Nov. 16.