Felon Accused Of Severe Assault On Girlfriend In SWR Park

MURRIETA, CA — A convicted felon accused of beating and threatening to kill a homeless woman in a Lake Elsinore park was charged Wednesday with assault resulting in great bodily injury and other offenses.

Christopher Scott Ferrian, 28, was arrested Monday morning following the alleged attack at Perret Park, in the area of Grand Avenue and Perret Boulevard.

Along with the assault count, Ferrian is charged with corporal injury to a domestic partner, making criminal threats and a sentence-enhancing allegation of inflicting great bodily injury during an act of domestic violence.

Ferrian pleaded not guilty during an arraignment before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Stephen Gallon, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for Aug. 22 at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta.

Ferrian is being held in lieu of $600,000 bail at the nearby Byrd Detention Center.

According to sheriff's Sgt. Steve Fredericks, Ferrian and his girlfriend, identified only as an area transient, were in the park about 5:30 a.m. Monday when the defendant allegedly began assaulting her, for reasons not specified.

The alleged attack, which witnesses feared might turn deadly, continued until deputies were called to the location, at which point Ferrian was taken into custody without a struggle, Fredericks said.

The victim received medical treatment, but it was unclear whether she was hospitalized.

According to court records, Ferrian has prior convictions for domestic violence and making criminal threats.

— By City News Service