Police say assault victim stopped breathing during attack, Louisville suspect in custody

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville man is accused of repeatedly stomping on a man's head and beating him with a rock before robbing him.

According to court documents, it happened in the early morning hours of March 7, in the 4200 block of Grand Avenue. That's off South 43rd Street in the Chickasaw neighborhood. A witness told police they saw 31-year-old Damien Carter hit the victim more than 15 times with a rock. The witness said Carter also stomped on the victim's head. Carter was standing over the unconscious victim, who was not breathing, when police arrived.

The victim was taken to the hospital "with unknown injuries" according to the arrest report. There's no word yet on the victim's current condition.

Police found the victim's driver's license and prescription medicine bottle in Carter's pocket. According to the arrest report, Carter told police he saw the victim passed out in his car, opened the door and took his keys and pills.

During Carter's arraignment Tuesday on charges of assault and robbery, District Court Judge Julie Kaelin took note of his violent past.

"What concerns me with the allegations is not just how horrible they are, but also he has a pretty long history of assaults and possession of weapons when he's not supposed to," Kaelin said. "All of which leaves me in grave concern for the safety of the community."

Kaelin set Carter's bond at $25,000 cash, and ordered him to remain on home incarceration if that bond is posted.

Carter's attorney says Carter and the victim knew each other.