Assault charges filed against Red Wing man

Police say they were greeted by the smell of alcohol, one slashed-up man and another bludgeoned and groggy when they responded to an emergency call early Monday on Arrow Avenue.

Both men were hospitalized after the dust settled, just before 4 a.m. One was hospitalized until Wednesday - the same day the other was brought up on felony charges.

Goodhue County prosecutors charged James Christopher Holland, 26, with third-degree assault, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The Red Wing man was conditionally released Wednesday on $35,000 bail.

Holland is accused of causing a head injury, a broken nose and three broken ribs during an assault on the victim, 41-year-old Donald Lundberg, according to a criminal complaint.

Witnesses told police that Holland came to the Lundberg residence Sunday and drank beer with the victim, his wife and his stepson. While the group was drinking, Holland started fighting with Lundberg, the complaint states.

It was not clear why Holland became upset, according to the statement.

After separating the two, the witness said he stepped out of the room. When he returned, he found Holland displaying a stab wound, according to the statement.

Lundberg later told investigators that "he supposes he could have" used a knife to defend himself during what he considered a "heavy" night of drinking.

Holland then began beating on Lundberg, slamming him into walls and stomping on his head, according to witness accounts. The witness described the alleged assault as "insane" and "horrific."

Holland was also hospitalized; he returns to court June 12.

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