Jogger Trained in Martial Arts Fends Off Attacker Who Planned to Kill Him: Police

Florida man Logan William Smith has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly trying to strangle a jogger on Sunday, police said.

Authorities arrested 18-year-old Smith after the jogger used his martial arts training to defend himself from the attack, Florida Today reported.

According to the Florida newspaper, investigators with the Brevard County Sheriff's Office called the attack "calculated." Authorities said Smith first noticed the jogger about six weeks ago, though it was not clear why Smith targeted the man.

The authorities said Smith hid behind a light pole, armed with a rubber mallet, an Axe aerosol deodorant can and a belt, WESH 2 News reported. When the jogger, who has not been named, ran past the light pole, Smith reportedly attempted to strangle him with the belt.

According to an arrest report, Deputy Carson Hendren said Smith had planned to drag the jogger's body onto a bed sheet he laid on a nearby driveway then to place the body in his closet "where the defendant stated no one would know, and the defendant could have the victim's body all to himself," according to Florida Today.

A deputy report said the victim had been jogging while listening to music when he was choked "out of nowhere." However, Smith's alleged plan was foiled when the man, who was not seriously injured, used his martial arts training to defend himself. According to WESH 2 News, he told deputies he had never seen or spoken to Smith before.

In the arrest report, Smith said he was motivated to ambush the jogger after watching a violent movie, though records did not specify which movie, Florida Today added. Smith is currently in custody at Brevard County Jail Complex, and his next court appearance is scheduled for February 10.

In a statement sent to Newsweek, public defender Blaise Trettis, who is representing Smith, said Smith might have a neurological disorder.

"The bizarre facts as alleged in the probable cause arrest report indicate an underlying neurological problem and some information has been received that Mr. Smith may suffer from an autism spectrum disorder such as Asperger syndrome," Trettis said.

According to WebMD, Asperger syndrome is characterized by trouble with social skills, obsessive focus on a topic or repeating certain behaviors. A 2012 report from WebMD said many experts agree that Asperger syndrome and other autism spectrum disorders do not make someone more likely to commit a violent crime.

"Experts in this field will evaluate Mr. Smith to investigate the likelihood that he suffers from such a neurodevelopmental disorder," Trettis added in the statement.

The Brevard County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to Newsweek's request for comment.