Libby man arrested for domestic assault

A 28-year-old Libby man is facing up to two years imprisonment and fines of up to $2,000 following his arrest on two counts of partner family member assault with a weapon.

Brian Thomas Norvell was arrested Dec. 11 by Libby Police Officer Darren Short following a report of a domestic disturbance at a home on Nevada Avenue. 

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Short was dispatched to the residence just before midnight for a reported domestic disturbance. In his report, Short wrote he arrived on the scene and spoke with one victim, who reported his son, Brian Norvell, had beaten him with the door from a cabinet. The witness also reported another victim and three children were still in the house.

“I arrived in the area and spoke with [victim 1] who told me that his son, Brian Norvell had pulled part of the cabinet apart and started beating him with it and hitting her, later identified as [victim 2], with it,” Short wrote. “He was concerned because [victim 2] and the three kids were still in the house. I observed that the left side of his face appeared to be red and bruising. I asked [victim 1] to remain outside while I attempted to make contact with Brian.”

Short reported he was then joined by Deputy John Davis and Deputy John Hyslop of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. The three officers reported seeing Norvell through the kitchen window yelling at someone. Short announced himself as a police officer and then entered the residence. 

After securing Norvell without further incident, Short interviewed the second victim who reported Norvell had assaulted her and broken several items.

“I identified myself and asked [victim 2] what had happened and she said that dad, [victim 1], had left and Brian punched her in the face and held her down with his hands over her mouth,” Short wrote in his report. “Brian had been staying there because of the three kids. She also said that he broke the shelf and the stereo that sat on top of it and broke the vacuum.”

Norvell has entered not guilty pleas on both charges and is being held in the Lincoln County jail on $25,000 bond. He is scheduled for an omnibus hearing Jan. 28, 2016.