Chehalis man accused of striking victim with machete

A Chehalis man faces possible life in prison after he allegedly struck a victim with a machete.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed by the Lewis County Prosecutor's Office, hospital staff said the victim was "fortunate to be keeping his arm."

Chase J. Fristad, 45, is charged with one count each of first-degree assault, a Class A felony punishable by up to life in prison, and second-degree assault, a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Fristad made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court Tuesday.

Chief Deputy Prosecutor William Halstead requested a bail of $500,000 cash or bond, citing a concern for public safety and the defendant's "ability to cause a violent offense in the future."

Halstead noted Fristad's alleged machete use during the incident.

Defense attorney Rachael Tiller asked for no more than $25,000 in bail, saying Fristad was working and has resided locally in the same home for almost 20 years.

"I think it'll come out that he was in fear for his safety, for his significant other's safety," Tiller said. "The person that's listed as the alleged victim is actually the aggressor in this case."

Tiller said the victim - Fristad's partner's ex-boyfriend - allegedly threatened to kill Fristad and harm his dog.

"Mr. Fristad was also informed that (the victim) has a gun - a firearm - in his vehicle, and that he is not allowed by law to possess firearms," Tiller said.

Judge J. Andrew Toynbee set bail at $50,000 cash or bond and granted a no-contact order on behalf of the alleged victim, along with an order for Fristad to surrender any firearms or dangerous weapons within his possession.

"I think it is sufficient to promote community safety," Toynbee said of the bail amount.

According to the probable cause affidavit, a Lewis County sheriff's deputy responded to Providence Centralia Hospital at about 2:30 a.m. Monday after hospital staff reported that a patient "told staff he had been assaulted with a machete."

The deputy spoke with a woman who had driven the victim to the hospital. The woman showed the deputy pictures she'd taken of the victim's injuries.

The deputy then spoke to the victim, who said he'd gone to his ex-girlfriend's home around 10 p.m. the previous night to get his belongings.

When he got there, the victim's ex-girlfriend met him outside the home and reportedly told him she didn't know where his stuff was.

"While she was inside the residence, he could hear her yelling but could not tell who she was yelling at or what she was saying," the affidavit said.

The victim said he went back to his vehicle and checked what he thought might be a flat tire. That's when Fristad allegedly approached the victim and swung the machete at him.

According to the affidavit, the victim said he'd raised his arm to "block the strike," thinking the object was a baseball bat. He also sustained "two cuts to the side" of his body.

The victim said Fristad and his ex went inside after the incident, and he drove away to a different residence, where he called the woman to come pick him up.

"He said that he was bleeding heavily and needed help controlling the bleeding," the affidavit said.

Hospital staff told the deputy that the victim's elbow was broken in multiple locations and that he would need surgery to repair his injuries.

Law enforcement contacted Fristad at the home, where he allegedly "denied using any force" against the victim, according to the affidavit.

Law enforcement found the machete and have submitted it for testing. They also reportedly seized a surveillance system that is pending review.

Fristad has no Washington state criminal history, according to court documents. He is scheduled for an arraignment on June 18 and will look to retain private counsel.

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