MARION COUNTY — More than three months after a woman was reportedly struck in the head with a hatchet at a Sandoval residence, police have made an arrest.

According to court records, 34-year-old Jessica Murray was arrested over the weekend and then formally charged Monday in Marion County Court with Class 3 felony aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and misdemeanor obstructing identification.

Reports say Murray struck a 42-year-old alleged victim in the head with the flat side of the hatchet during a disagreement at a residence in the 300 block of South Maple in Sandoval and then gave Sandoval police a false name when they responded to a report of the incident.

The alleged victim, who was reportedly visiting the home when the incident occurred, was taken by private vehicle to SSM St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia for treatment. She was later released.

Judge Mark Stedelin released Murray from the Marion County Jail Monday under special conditions, despite prosecutors seeking to have her held without bond based on failing to appear in court on three occasions in 2022 and 2023. 

Murray is due back in court on April 30 for a preliminary hearing in the case.