Man accused of attacking elderly man enters not guilty plea

A Rice Lake man who allegedly attacked and bit off a fingertip of a 73-year-old man on a city trail has pleaded not guilty to charges filed against him.

Robert L. Morrison, 59, was charged on March 21 with two felonies: physical abuse of elder person — intentionally causing great bodily harm, and aggravated battery — intending great bodily harm, which is carrying an increased penalty because the victim was elderly.

At his arraignment on Friday, Morrison pleaded not guilty to both counts, and a motion hearing was slated for June 19. He is in Barron County Jail on a $10,000 cash bond, with conditions that include he have no contact with the victim.

If convicted of the physical abuse charge, Morrison faces a maximum penalty of a $100,000 fine and 40 years in prison. The aggravated battery count could see him fined up to $50,000 and facing imprisonment for up to 15 years if convicted, although the prison term could be higher due to the victim’s age.

According to the criminal complaint, a 73-year-old man called 911 to report that a man on a bike attacked him and bit off the tip of his finger on March 19 on the Red Cedar Trail.

The 73-year-old said he was walking his dog on the trail when the defendant came within a foot of where they were walking as he rode past them on his bike.

The victim stated he yelled at Morrison, “What the hell are you doing?” The defendant came back on his bike and started yelling at him, grabbed him, bit his finger off and then started punching him approximately 20-30 times.