Police say they responded to a domestic dispute last week to find a Powell man beating his fiance, and then were assaulted by her as they attempted to end the altercation.

Walt C. Miller and Crystal M. Wood, both 41, are facing felony charges in connection with the May 21 incident: Miller for allegedly injuring a pregnant woman and Wood for allegedly scratching and trying to disarm a peace officer and for trying to hit another.

When Wood made her initial court appearance Friday morning, she had two black eyes and visible bruises on her mouth, chin and arm. The prosecutor and judge also alluded to having concerns about her mental health; Wood’s absence from an online inmate roster last week indicated that authorities believe she poses a danger to herself or others as a result of mental illness.

“Just by looking at how horribly injured she is … we can tell that this is a very serious situation,” Deputy Park County Prosecuting Attorney Laura Newton said Friday. “I believe that there is some real safety threats to the community as well as to her and the other defendant [Miller].”

Circuit Court Judge Joey Darrah set both defendants’ bonds at $25,000, though he made Miller’s more lenient by offering the option to post a surety bond instead of cash.

“I don't have an issue trying to let people out of jail under the right circumstances,” Darrah told Miller at a Wednesday hearing, “but this one gives me a little bit of concern.”

Responding to ‘a mess’

Powell police were called to the couple’s home around 10:15 a.m. on May 21 for a report of domestic violence. When they arrived at the North Absaroka Street home, no one answered the door, but someone inside screamed, “Come in,” Officer David Salters wrote in an affidavit.

Officers had to push away a couch to get in the door and they walked into what Newton described as “just an absolute mess.”

According to charging documents, they found Miller sitting on top of Wood and holding a handful of her hair.

“He’s going to kill me,” Wood reportedly said.

“I’m not going to kill her. I’m just beating her up real good,” Miller allegedly responded.

Additionally, Wood appeared to be struggling with her elderly father, who was seated nearby; as Salters worked to handcuff Miller, Wood allegedly grabbed her father’s hair.

Sgt. Dustin DelBiaggio attempted to cuff and detain Wood, he wrote in an affidavit, but she grabbed onto Salters’ firearm and tried to unholster it; the officer was able to secure his weapon, though she allegedly inflicted “superficial scratches” to his forearm.

“I’ll kill you,” Wood is alleged to have yelled at the officers, along with, “You all are useless pieces of [expletive].”

In an affidavit, DelBiaggio said he put Wood on her stomach and held her head to the floor “in an attempt to keep her balance off so she could not stand and further escalate the situation.” However, she made it to a kneeling position and the sergeant said he had to force her into a nearby couch, “face first,” and place her in a control hold until a deputy provided assistance.

Differing accounts

Wood’s father reportedly told police that she had been in a manic state for several days, which had led to fighting between her and Miller. Charging documents quote Wood’s father as saying it seemed like Miller began punching Wood because he’d “had enough of her mental state.”

For his part, Miller reportedly told police he’d beaten Wood because she’d hurt one of her children. However, the child said that never happened and Salters said it appeared Miller had fabricated the story.

Citing past felony convictions that include robbery, Newton recommended that Miller’s bond be set at $25,000 cash, with conditions that include having no contact with Wood or her family members.

“The facts of this case are very alarming,” Newton said.

Miller said he understood the seriousness of the allegations, but told the court “there’s extenuating circumstances.”

He asked for a signature bond and to continue having contact with Wood and her family, describing them as people he loves and helps care for.

“Honestly, if I can’t go back home, I don’t really understand what’s so important about getting out of here,” Miller said.

Darrah did impose the no contact provisions — prompting sobs from Miller — but he tempered the prosecutor’s recommendation by allowing a surety option. It means Miller could theoretically be released by paying a bondsman $2,500.

“Unfortunately, you don’t get a chance to present your side of the case or anything at this point,” Darrah told the defendant, and he said the charging documents gave him some concern.

Health concerns

Days later, the judge set Wood’s bond at $25,000 cash only. Newton had recommended that amount, noting in part past criminal convictions that include felonies. Park County court records indicate Wood just completed three years of supervised probation for an August 2020 incident in which she threw objects at and scratched a Powell police officer during a mental health crisis.

Wood appeared confused at Friday’s hearing. She told the court she didn’t remember the incident, and said an unspecified medication was causing her to slur her speech.

Newton said that Wood should “immediately” see a doctor, appearing to reference not only the visible injuries but also the concerns about Wood’s mental health.

“I’m hoping your office is addressing that,” Darrah said, alluding to an involuntary hospitalization.

Preliminary hearings for both Miller and Wood are tentatively scheduled for Thursday.