Pre-trial release revoked for suspect in Iowa City baseball bat attack

Lang
11/1/23

Pre-trial release has been revoked for a suspect in an Iowa City baseball bat attack.

48-year-old William Watson was booked into the Johnson County Jail at 8:45 Tuesday morning. Watson is currently awaiting trial on charges that he broke the rear windshield of a vehicle parked at his Rowland Court residence on August 19th, then chased the alleged victim while still holding the bat. The reported victim tripped and fell as they ran screaming, requiring transportation to the hospital for their injuries.

Watson was arrested and charged with Assault Causing Bodily Injury and 2nd Degree Criminal Mischief. If convicted on both charges, he faces a maximum of six years in prison.

Watson’s pre-trial release was revoked after he allegedly threatened his wife during a phone call last week, reportedly saying he was going to kill her, cut her head off, take it to her mother and beat her to death with it. He faces a maximum of two years in jail if convicted on a 1st Degree Harassment charge.

Watson is also accused of breaking a no-contact order in the case multiple times by calling his in-laws on multiple occasions.

A case management conference is set for December 18th.