SLAYTON — A Slayton resident was issued a summons to appear in court in connection with the reported assault of an emergency medical professional in August 2021. Stephen Holm, 33, is charged with one count of fourth-degree assault of emergency medical personnel, a felony offense, as well as a misdemeanor count of fifth-degree assault, infliction of bodily harm. Holm is also charged with disorderly conduct, also a misdemeanor.
The charges stem from an Aug. 7, 2021 incident, after a Slayton Police officer responded to a report of a man lying on the ground without shoes. Upon arrival, the officer saw Holm laying partially in someone’s yard and partially in the street. His chest was moving, so the officer knew he was alive.
The officer identified himself and attempted to speak to Holm, but Holm did not respond to any questions. The officer asked Murray County Dispatch to page an ambulance so that Holm could be evaluated.
The officer observed that Holm was covered in grass clippings and had wounds on his feet, legs, hands and arms. When asked if he had been beaten up, Holm laughed and shook his head “no”.
When the ambulance arrived, the officer warned the ambulance crew that Holm might be hostile and uncooperative. One of the emergency medical technicians started to ask Holm some questions, which he did not answer, instead, repeating the phrase "why though?" over and over.
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An acquaintance of Holm’s then arrived at the scene and said she had been looking for Holm all over town. She gave the officer Holm’s name and tried to persuade Holm to cooperate with ambulance personnel, but Holm hit her on the foot.
The ambulance technician asked Holm if he would allow for his blood pressure to be taken, and Holm said he would. However, while attempting to apply the blood pressure cuff, Holm reportedly grabbed the ambulance technician's arm and pulled her closer. He then struck the technician on the back of the head and pulled her hair, according to the report.
The officer intervened, subduing and handcuffing Holm. He was loaded into the ambulance and transferred to the Murray County Medical Center, where he reportedly remained belligerent, yelling and using vulgar language toward the ambulance crew and the hospital staff alike. Hospital staff evaluated Holm and treated him for injuries.
Upon being discharged from the hospital, Holm became very apologetic, stating he had blacked out and did not recall most of the night.
The officer spoke with the ambulance technician later that day and asked if she had been injured. The technician stated she had been evaluated and that there were marks on her arm, possibly from being grabbed by Holm.
Holm is set to appear in court on May 5. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison and/or a $4,000 fine for the fourth-degree assault charge. Both misdemeanor charges carry a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.
