Becker County (trfnews.i234.me) — A felony first-degree assault case has been dismissed in Becker County District Court.
The defendant was Calvin Dean Basswood, 55, of rural Ponsford.
Why was the case dismissed?
Court records show the Becker County Attorney’s Office filed a dismissal on Jan. 15.
In that filing, prosecutors said they could not find key witnesses. The victim was among them.
Without those witnesses, the state said it could not meet its burden at trial.
What led to the charges
According to the criminal complaint, deputies were sent on the morning of Oct. 4 to the 21000 block of County Highway 6.
They were called for an injured man. He had two holes in his head, the complaint said.
Officers found severe bruising and major injuries to his face and head.
The man first said he was hit on the highway. He said someone dropped him off at the property.
Medics called for an air ambulance. The man needed emergency surgery, the complaint said.
The filing said he was later treated at Sanford Medical Center Fargo.
Evidence described in court filings
After the man was taken away, an officer reported a large blood stain.
The officer said it was behind a utility shed on the property.
Another possible blood stain was seen on a mobile home porch, the complaint said.
Medics told officers the wounds did not match a vehicle strike.
Investigators identified the man’s girlfriend as Natalie June McGinnis Mason, 54, of rural Detroit Lakes.
A judge approved a search warrant for Mason’s mobile home, court records say.
Investigators reported blood on a couch, a wall, and the ceiling.
The complaint said someone appeared to have tried cleaning it.
Officers also reported finding a rolled rug, bloody rags, and used cleaning pads in trash bags.
Those items were in a dumpster on the east side of the property, the filing said.
A bloody red cooler was also listed in the search inventory.
What Mason told investigators
In an interview, Mason said she was assaulted by her boyfriend earlier that morning.
She said she woke her cousin, Basswood, for help.
Mason later told investigators Basswood “roughed up” the boyfriend, the complaint said.
She later confirmed Basswood used a baseball bat, and she witnessed the assault.
Mason also told investigators she tried to clean blood with a Swiffer. She then used rags.
Other charges are still pending
Prosecutors said Basswood declined to speak with investigators after his arrest.
Court records show Mason has since been charged with felony second-degree assault and felony third-degree assault.
Those charges allege she struck the victim during the attack.
Readers can check public court information through Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO).
For general court information, see the Becker County District Court page.
For prosecutor’s office details, visit the Becker County Attorney’s Office.
State law references: Second-degree assault and third-degree assault.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.