Clarification - Man gives his side on plea in assault

An article in “From the Courts” on Page A5 in Friday’s Havre Daily News reported that Brian Carpenter of Havre pleaded no contest to a reduced charge stemming from accusations he assaulted a friend of his, giving him injuries requiring reconstructive surgery.

Carpenter said he disagrees with the information from the court document the Havre Daily used for information to write the story, which said the injured man alleged, several days after he received the injuries, that Carpenter assaulted him and hit him several times, giving him injuries that required he go to a plastic surgeon.

Carpenter said he was prepared to prove in trial that he acted in self-defense and the man who was injured started the fight. He agreed to plead no contest, which means he does not admit to any guilt, to a charge reduced from felony aggravated assault to a misdemeanor assault and not to have to pay any restitution.

Under the plea agreement, the judge imposed a one-year deferred imposition of sentence, which means if he abides by all conditions he can have the charge stricken from his record.