Rochester Man Found Not Guilty in Power Drill Assault Case
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man has been found not guilty of charges that he tried to stab another man with a power drill.
Rochester Man Acquitted After Bench Trial
Forty-six-year-old Charles Andrew Tewes was brought to trial last week in Olmsted County Court on charges of first-degree burglary involving an assault and a misdemeanor assault charge. He waived his right to a jury trial, and the evidence was presented to a judge, who acquitted him of all charges. A second charge of first-degree burglary was dismissed earlier in the week.
Alleged Victim Told Police About Confrontation at Apartment
The criminal complaint against Tewes alleged that he entered a man's apartment holding a power drill and then tried to stab the victim in the chest and neck area with the drill bit. The victim told Rochester police that the alleged attack occurred after he interrupted Tewes as he was drilling screws into the door of his apartment.
According to the charges, the man told police he was able to push Tewes into the hallway, and then Tewes fled on foot. Rochester police later apprehended Tewes in the parking lot of the apartment complex. The court document says he initially denied trying to screw the victim's apartment door shut, but later told police that the alleged victim had thrown a board at him as he was walking past the apartment.
Arrest Warrant Issued Before Trial
An arrest warrant was issued for Tewes several days before the start of his trial after he failed to report to court for a pretrial hearing. After the warrant was served, Tewes was released without bail and reported to the Olmsted County Courthouse on August 31 for the start of the trial that led to his acquittal.
READ MORE: Warrant Issued for Rochester Man Accused in Drill Attack
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