BULLHEAD CITY – Mandatory prison punishment is part of the plea agreement entered for a Bullhead City woman who assaulted her sleeping boyfriend with a hammer early this year. Marilyn Ann Kepler, 75, pleaded guilty Thursday to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, reduced from an attempted murder charge.
Prosecutor Kenneth Sheffield told the Court that the 74-year-old victim was sleeping when awakened by Kepler’s strike to his head with the claw end of a hammer. Sheffield said the man was injured in one cheek and the back of his head when struck 2-3 times.
Sheffield and police have said that Kepler was upset because sound from the victim’s television was disturbing her sleep. Sheffield told Judge Billy Sipe that Kepler was also put out because she had to pay more for groceries due to the victim’s gambling habit.
The Feb. 1 assault of her boyfriend of eight years occurred where they resided in room 120 at 1817 Arcadia Plaza. Police said in a February news release that the victim persuaded Kepler to drive him to a hospital before she drove past it and threatened him with a gun that he gained control of during a struggle.
Police said the victim exited the vehicle and was rescued by bystanders. Kepler drove away but was subsequently arrested.
Assault charges associated with the hospital drive are dismissed in the plea agreement. Kepler faces a 5-8-year prison term when sentenced Oct. 1.
Dave Hawkins