Melvin Blackburn (Bingham County Sheriff’s Office).
An Idaho man is accused of attacking a woman with nunchucks after becoming angry that she would not give him a ride home from the hospital, authorities said.
Melvin Blackburn, 67, of Blackfoot, allegedly assaulted the woman shortly after he returned to the residence they shared, East Idaho News reported, citing court records. According to police, Blackburn said he had gone to the hospital the night before the June 21 incident after the woman punched him in the face.
After receiving medical treatment, Blackburn told investigators he walked home and quickly got into an argument with the woman. Police said the woman reported that, during the dispute, Blackburn grabbed a pair of nunchucks he owned and began striking her with them.
The woman called 911, and responding officers said they found bruising on her arm and back. Blackburn allegedly told police he used the nunchucks only to protect himself after the woman attacked him when he arrived home from the hospital. He admitted swinging the martial arts weapon in her direction but denied making contact, according to court documents obtained by East Idaho News.
Blackburn also claimed the woman was angry because he had gone to the hospital, East Idaho News reported.
Investigators said Blackburn’s account changed multiple times, and despite his claim that he had been attacked, officers noted he did not appear to have any injuries.
The woman told police Blackburn was sitting on a stool when he started swinging the nunchucks at her. She allegedly knocked him off the stool and ran away, then called police.
Blackburn was arrested and charged with felony aggravated battery with an enhancement because of the use of a deadly weapon. He could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted, East Idaho News reports.
