A Saint Paul man threw a plate at the victim, stepped on her arm and threatened to kill her during a violent confrontation in their garage, prosecutors say.
Kevin Lewis Berg, 41, faces charges of third-degree assault and threats of violence.
According to the complaint, officers went to Woodwinds Hospital at around 11:10 p.m. on Sept. 16 after the victim arrived with severe injuries. The victim had a large bruise on her left bicep, swelling in her upper left arm, cuts on her arm and stomach and additional bruises on her back and buttocks.
The victim told officers she believed her left arm and right ring finger were broken, according to court documents.
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The victim described an argument with Berg earlier that day in the garage of their Saint Paul home. She said she threw a crutch at Berg, unsure if it hit him. Berg then threw a ceramic plate, striking the back of her left arm. The victim fell to the floor, began crying and told Berg she thought her arm was broken. Berg told her to lower her voice, warning that someone might call the police.
The complaint states that Berg kicked over a glass table, which hit the victim’s left arm and caused her to fall again. As she lay on the ground, Berg stepped on her left arm. He then grabbed both of her arms, picked her up and told her to stop being a baby. The victim ran inside to the laundry room, but Berg followed, pushed her against the wall and said, “I can’t wait to kill you,” before spitting on her multiple times. The victim told police she feared for her life during the assault.
The victim ran outside, where Berg threw a garbage can at her, but missed. A friend arrived to pick up the victim and the two drove around for hours before the victim decided to seek medical attention. Hospital staff diagnosed her with a spiral fracture in her right hand and a severely swollen left arm.
Officers arrested Berg at the Saint Paul residence at about 2:20 a.m. on Sept. 17.
After being advised of his rights, Berg allegedly told police, “I can’t do anything and it didn’t matter.” When asked about throwing anything at the victim, Berg said he knew what the officer was trying to do and declined to provide further information.
Berg was set to appear in Ramsey County court on Sept. 18.
About This Charge
Minnesota classifies assault by degree under § 609.221 (first), § 609.222 (second), § 609.223 (third), § 609.2231 (fourth) and § 609.224 (fifth). First-degree assault, alleging great bodily harm, carries up to 20 years in prison. The lower degrees range from misdemeanor up to 10-year felony exposure depending on weapon use and harm.
Related MN CRIME Coverage
Saint Paul Woman Charged After Man Stabbed in Chest • Saint Paul Man Pulled Knife Over Juice Cart at Union Depot • 1 Charged After Spitting, Death Threat to Saint Paul Officer
Jurisdictional Context
Ramsey County encompasses Saint Paul and is served by the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office. Felony cases are heard in the Second Judicial District at the Ramsey County Courthouse in downtown Saint Paul; the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office operates the Ramsey County Correctional Facility in Maplewood.
