Man pleads guilty to battery

A Spirit Lake man is back in jail after reportedly violating the conditions of his release.

Lane Patrick Lutz, 25, pleaded guilty earlier this month to misdemeanor battery and felony malicious injury to property.

The charges stem from an incident that reportedly occurred Aug. 2, when a man told police Lutz had come over to his Coeur d’Alene apartment to drink beer.

At one point during the evening, Lutz reportedly “just snapped” and accused the man of “something to do with [Lutz’s] daughter,” court records said.

The man said Lutz beat him with his fists and choked him. He told police he felt “as if [Lutz] were trying to kill him,” court records said.

Lutz also reportedly broke a laptop valued at around $2,700.

Photos included in court records show bruises on the man’s face. His left eye was purple and almost swollen shut. Photos also showed purple bruises on his neck.

Police responded on Aug. 3 to a call at a Coeur d’Alene bar involving a belligerent man who was identified as Lutz.

Lutz “had a noticeable amount of dried blood on his left hand and knuckles,” according to police records. When asked about the blood, Lane requested the presence of an attorney.

Police arrested Lutz at the scene.

Upon his release on $35,000 bail, Lutz was required to abstain from alcohol and submit to alcohol testing six times per month, begin anger counseling and comply with a no-contact order between him and the other man.

However, Lutz failed to appear for court-ordered testing on Sept. 9, according to court records. A bench warrant was issued on Sept. 18. Police arrested Lutz on Sept. 26.

Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 17.