POLK COUNTY, Minn. — A Northwest Regional Corrections Center inmate is facing two felony assault charges after allegedly throwing boiling water on another inmate, causing burns that warranted transportation to the emergency room, according to a probable cause statement filed in the case.
Christopher Paul James Morrison, 24, had his initial court appearance on Thursday morning, April 11, in Polk County court. He is charged with first-degree assault causing great bodily harm, which has a 20-year maximum sentence, as well as third-degree assault causing substantial bodily harm.
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His bond was set at $20,000 cash or surety.
On March 24, a Polk County sheriff's deputy was dispatched to the correctional center for a reported assault. A man allegedly had boiling water thrown on him and there were burns visible on his chest, arm, shoulder, neck and back, according to the probable cause statement. His skin had visibly peeled off in some areas, revealing large wounds.
The man told law enforcement he'd been doing crunches and working out when he saw Morrison talking to his cellmate. They seemed like they were up to something, because Morrison was microwaving water despite not having any coffee or anything like that, the statement said.
While the man was walking and jogging laps around the unit, Morrison approached him, and allegedly poured two cups of water on him. The two then got into a physical altercation, according to the statement.
Due to the nature and extent of injuries the man appeared to experience due to the boiling water, it seems he "suffered at a minimum substantial bodily harm, and likely will have serious permanent disfigurement or other serious bodily harm that would constitute great bodily harm," the statement said.
Morrison's omnibus hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on May 7.
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