Murray man charged with using hammer in attempt to kill his mother

MURRAY — A Murray man was charged Thursday with trying to kill his mother with a hammer.

Dray D. Howick, 40, is charged in 3rd District Court with attempted murder, a first-degree felony; or, in the alternative, aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult, a second-degree felony, and causing property damage, a class B misdemeanor.

On May 23, Murray police responded to a reported domestic violence incident near 1100 E. Belle Meadow Way. They arrived to find a 67-year-old woman who had been hit on the head twice with a hammer by her son, Howick, according to charging documents.

"The first time, her vision went dark and then came back. She said Howick then hit her a second time, then turned around and left. (She) said Howick told her he was trying to kill her," the charges allege. "The victim reported the assault was unprovoked and there was no altercation prior to the incident."

When questioned by police, Howick said he hit his mother "on the head with a blue claw hammer multiple times. He said he intended to 'put her down' and 'decapitate her with an ax,'" according to the charges.

The mother told police her son "is mentally handicapped, borderline schizophrenic and has a communication disorder," and has the mental capacity of a seventh grader, a police booking affidavit states.

Police, however, noted Howick has a criminal history and "has been through the court process and is currently being supervised by Adult Probation and Parole. The victim and her family reported that competency with the court had been previously established and he knows right from wrong," the affidavit says.

The mother received seven staples at a local hospital for her head injury. Police also found several doors in the house Howick had damaged with an ax, the affidavit states.

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