Tribal member pleads guilty to brutal assault

A member of the Colville Confederated Tribes pleaded guilty today in federal court to brutally beating and kidnapping his wife earlier this year. Matthew R. Carden, Sr., 40, pleaded guilty to felony assault, kidnapping and a felon in possession of a firearm after the Jan. 9, 2012, assault near Nespelem in which he used his boots and fists for about 20 minutes, according to court testimony. The beating left his 37-year-old wife seriously injured with two broken orbital bones around her eyes, a broken collar bone and a fractured rib, according to court records. Also as part of the crime, Carden took a 30.06 rifle and struck his wife with the barrel before twice pulling the trigger of the unloaded rifle while pointing it at her, according to court testimony. “He indicated that he wanted to take a shower,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Rudy Verschoor said. “He said he didn’t want to hurt her anymore and that she had better leave.” U.S. District Court Judge Justin Quackenbush asked Carden why he beat his wife so severely following a night of drinking, in which five people reportedly drank two-and-a-half gallons of whiskey. “Jealousy … and drinking,” Carden responded. As part of the guilty plea, Verschoor agreed to drop a charge of assault with a deadly weapon and another charge of assault with intent to commit a felony. As part of the plea agreement, Carden will not to appeal the convictions if Quackenbush sentences him to nine years in federal prison. Quackenbush told Carden he’s under no obligation to follow that recommendation at the sentencing, which he scheduled for 10 a.m. on Aug. 17.