Man attacks woman with hammer

A West Plains man faces two felony charges after allegedly attacking a woman with a hammer. According to court documents, George Watson, 43, interrupted a staff meeting of Perfect Partners in the 800 block of Hickory, seemingly with the intent to attack a specific woman.

Perfect Partners is a West Plains business that provides assistance services to the developmentally disabled. A probable cause statement signed by Officer Jacob Brixey of the West Plains Police Department says that Watson is a customer of Perfect Partners. Employees say he is his own guardian, but they provide a cleaning service to him.

On the afternoon of February 27, Watson confronted the employees gathered in a staff meeting with a hammer in his right hand. The victim asked him to return to his residence, and Watson allegedly hit her in the head with the hammer. 

Witnesses saw Watson took a big step back to gain momentum, turned, and deliberately hit the victim on the head with the hammer’s handle. 

As Officer Brixey was walking the accused to a patrol car, Watson said to the victim, “You still deserved it, b****,” say court documents. 

In an interview with police, Watson said he had become upset with the company who cleaned for him and, when he saw the employee cars gathered for he staff meeting, it was “his opportunity.” Watson admitted to police that he intentionally struck his victim and entered the staff meeting only after seeing through the window that his intended victim was present.

“Watson stated he did that because he believed the way the company had treated him led up to this,” reads Officer Brixey’s statement. 

The Howell County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed formal charges of first degree assault and armed criminal action on February 28. At an initial appearance on March 1, Watson pled not guilty. His case is set for a bond hearing on March 6. As of press time, he remains in custody on a $25,000 bond.