FRYEBURG — A Fryeburg man was arrested early Monday morning after reportedly assaulting another man with a tea kettle. 

Chad A. Stevens, 38, of Smith Street, appeared in 11th District Court on Monday afternoon and pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge. He was released on personal recognizance bail. 

Fryeburg police Chief Phil Weymouth said Tuesday that Fryeburg Officer Thomas Hundley was called to an apartment on Smith Street around 3 a.m. for a complaint of people screaming and arguing. When Hundley arrived, he found Stevens and a man covered with blood, and the apartment strewn with broken glass and dishes, Weymouth said. 

According to Weymouth, Stevens hit the man over the head with a stainless steel tea kettle, cutting the left side of his head open. A red metal tea kettle with a broken handle and two dents in it was found at the scene. 

Both men had lacerations and abrasions from fighting, although the victim’s injuries were consistent with defensive wounds, Weymouth said. 

Police are unclear as to exactly what touched off the argument leading to the fight, Weymouth said. 

The victim was transported to Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., for treatment and Stevens was taken to Bridgton Hospital to be checked before being transported to Oxford County Jail in Paris. 

Police initially charged Stevens with Class B aggravated assault, but the charge was dropped to misdemeanor assault by the District Attorney’s Office pending additional investigation and medical reports, Weymouth said. 

pmcguire@sunjournal.com

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