Three men accused of assaulting a man and a woman on the Animas River Trail under the Ninth Street Bridge will each face felony assault charges, according to court records.
Law enforcement said suspect Vernon Begay, 30, beat 30-year-old Orel Nathaniel and 36-year-old Paulina Ketchum on Nov. 23 with the help of Nathan Woody, 30, and Kevin Bitsilly, 32, after a fight behind the Speedway gas station, 901 Camino del Rio.
Police originally arrested Begay and Bitsilly on suspicion of attempted murder. But prosecutors didn’t find enough evidence to support that charge.
Begay was charged with first-degree assault for allegedly attacking Nathaniel with a deadly weapon – in this case, his fists – a felony punishable by four to 12 years in prison.
Bitsilly and Woody were charged with second-degree felony assault, punishable by two to six years in prison, for allegedly attacking Ketchum.
The Durango Police Department arrested Begay, Bitsilly and Woody within a week of the alleged attack. All three are believed to be homeless.
Law enforcement detained Begay at the scene after officers saw him on top of a woman punching her under the Ninth Street Bridge. Durango police accused him of attempted murder. Bitsilly fled the scene but was later caught by law enforcement and also accused of attempted murder.
Begay, Bitsilly and Woody are each in custody at the La Plata County Jail. Begay is being held without bail, Bitsilly is being held on $10,000 bail, and Woody is being held on $500 bail.
bhauff@durangoherald.com
