Wrangell man faces rape, assault charges

A Wrangell man could face significant jail time after an arrest earlier this month in a domestic violence case.

Steven R. Marshall, 52, was arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at a residence in the Bloom Trailer Court after police responded to an argument between Marshall and his girlfriend.

Marshall, who was indicted last week by a grand jury on seven charges, including sexual assault and assault in the first degree, is alleged to have raped, strangled and hit the victim, as well as threatening her with a machete, resulting in a hospitalization at Wrangell Medical Center.

Judge William Carey raised bail on Marshall, which had originally been set at $30,000, to $100,000 based on what he said was the, “(extremely) serious nature of the allegations.”

According to court documents, Wrangell police officer James Nelson arrived at the residence to the sound of loud banging noises coming from the trailer shared by the couple.

In his report, Nelson stated that he found hair extensions next to the passenger side door of a vehicle and, during his initial investigation and contact with the victim, said he observed swelling and bruising to her face and neck.

Nelson’s report also stated that the victim told him that Marshall had put a 25-inch machete to her neck at some point – and that Marshall had swung the knife, hitting a wall in one of the bedrooms of the trailer.

U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officer Doug Ault assisted Nelson in the investigation.

Marshall was taken into custody by Nelson without incident and booked into the Wrangell jail.

During a hearing on Wednesday, Dec. 14, defense attorney Jude Pate requested a bail reduction from $30,000 to $3,000, and a “third-party custody agreement” with Marshall’s ex-girlfriend, Karen McClure. The request was denied after District Attorney Jean Seaton spoke out against it.

“(We’re) opposed to reduction of bail,” Seaton said. “And we’re opposed to McClure being TPC.”

McClure, who has entered into TPC agreements on Marshall’s behalf in the past, also told prosecutors that Marshall had maintained firearms at their former Panhandle Trailer Court residence before moving out – a violation of his earlier terms of probation in a separate case.

“We have rifles and revolvers in the house,” McClure said during cross-examination by Seaton.

A secondary case seeking a revocation of his probation has also been filed in First District Court.

Marshall remains incarcerated at the Wrangell jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. His next appearance is set for Jan. 23, 2012 at 11 a.m., with trial set for March 28 at 8:30 a.m.