A Black Hawk alderman faces up to six years in prison if he is convicted in the pistol-whipping of his wife.
David Dee Spellman, 41, was advised Thursday in Gilpin County Court that he is being charged with second-degree assault, two counts of menacing and one misdemeanor count of illegal possession of a handgun while drunk.
During the hearing, Judge Fred eric Rodgers recused himself from the case because he said he knew Spellman and his wife, Lynnette Hailey, who is the city manager of Central City.
Spellman, who did not have an attorney present, spoke in a low voice and said he would soon hire an attorney.
Late Sunday, Spellman, Hailey and her brother, Michael Hailey, were drinking wine before Spellman and his wife got into an argument, according to an arrest-warrant affidavit.
Lynnette Hailey told police that Spellman struck her from behind in the head with a .38-caliber pistol, the report said. When she twice tried to stand up, Spellman hit her with the gun each time, according to the report. She received two cuts to the head that required four staples.
The affidavit also says Spellman yelled death threats at Michael Hailey, who said he feared for his life. Spellman also fired three shots from his gun, but it is unclear what his intent was, according to the affidavit.
Spellman, holding a gun, was arrested a few minutes before midnight on the roof of the Gilpin County home where he lives.
Spellman declined to be interviewed Thursday.
Staff writer Kirk Mitchell can be reached at 303-820-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com.
