Libby man accused of second assault

A February trial date has been set for a Libby man accused of assaulting the mother of his two children. 

Michael A. Bush II, 33, of Libby, pleaded not guilty to partner or family member assault, his second offense on Feb. 10. His bond has been set at $20,000 and trial has been set for 9 a.m., Feb. 15, in District Court. 

Bush was arrested on Nov. 9 after officers spoke with Bush’s family, who told them that the man had assaulted his fiancee. 

Lincoln County sheriff’s deputy John Davis responded to an assault call initially made by Bush, who was calling from his grandparent’s residence. Davis spoke with Bush outside the home, where Bush was emotional and upset about events that took place earlier that day. Bush reportedly told Davis several times that he had not hit his fiancee, Kelsi Benefield, but said that he had himself been beaten up by three other men. Bush refused medical attention, and Davis reported seeing no visible injuries on Bush. 

While Davis spoke with Bush, Lincoln County dispatch received an assault report from Bush’s fiancee, who said that Bush had allegedly assaulted her.

Davis drove Bush back to the home where Benefield had made the call. According to Davis’ report, Benefield was visibly shaken while they spoke in front of her home, where she told him she was having trouble breathing. She reportedly told Davis that Bush punched her in the chest, hit her with her walking stick and hit her in the face with a cellphone. She also refused medical attention several times. 

Officers reported Benefield said that Bush was upset she was spending time with Sky Barry, one of the individuals that Bush accused of assaulting him earlier that day. 

Davis photographed a red mark on Benefield’s face, which he reported as a fresh surface wound. 

Davis arrested Bush at the scene around 10:30 p.m.

An omnibus hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 22 in District Court.