Rexburg man who allegedly attacked a man in his home testifies in court

REXBURG — A Rexburg man accused of beating a man in his home and damaging his car testified in court Monday morning at a bond-reduction hearing.

Ryan Herren, 32, is facing charges of felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor malicious injury to property.

On April 1, prosecutors said Herren violently beat a tenant at Brenchley Apartments and smashed the victim’s Buick LeSabre’s window and taillight afterward. The victim was beaten so severely he had to be transported to Madison Memorial Hospital.

The victim initially said he didn’t know why he was attacked.

Herren said in court Monday his motivation behind the beating was a dispute concerning his pregnant girlfriend.

Herren testified in court that his girlfriend had admitted to cheating on him the night before the April 1 incident. That night she also claimed she was raped by two men, one of which was Herren’s victim.

Herren said his girlfriend also seemed highly emotional and also under the influence of drugs while telling him her story.

He said he had intentions of taking her story to the police but decided not to at her request. Herren said he decided to take matters into his own hands and said he needed to “neutralize the threat.”

Herren said he looked for the first man who the girlfriend had mentioned and couldn’t find him. He then went for the second man, who lived at Brenchley Apartments.

My goal was to neutralize the threat by any means necessary.

He admitted to smashing the victim’s car window with a “body hammer” and then went to his apartment to confront him.

Herren said the victim lunged at him and threw the first punch which forced Herren to retaliate in self-defense.

As he retaliated he punched the victim 14 times until he was rendered unconscious.

“My goal was to neutralize the threat by any means necessary,” Herren said.

Prosecuting Attorney Sid Brown said the victim had said he did not strike Herren first.

Brown also noted that Herren’s girlfriend had filed many false rape claims with the police. The reports were issued false after investigation.

As Brown brought up facts about the case, Herren would abruptly interrupt Brown, to the point that Judge Gregory Moeller told him to not speak unless Brown asked him a question.

I don’t think normal people talk like that.

The defense moved to have Herren’s bond changed from $100,000 to $10,000.

Moeller denied the motion and said he felt the amount was appropriate for the alleged crime. Moeller said he thinks this is a very serious case, and that the behavior of the defendant sounded “completely irrational.”

He said he did not like Herren’s persistent phrase, “neutralizing the threat.”

“That’s the phrase that I found a little chilling. … I don’t think normal people talk like that,” Moeller said.

He said, however, Herren wasn’t proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Pre-trial is scheduled for Oct. 31, and the jury trial is scheduled for Nov. 30.