Ripon Man Pleads to Attempted Murder Charge

RIPON, Wis (WRPN)- The 35-year-old Ripon man suspected of trying to kill a Fond du Lac woman with a hatchet has pled guilty to three charges.

Hayden Daffinson was in Fond du Lac County Court Tuesday for a plea hearing. He pled guilty to charges of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree sexual assault, and mayhem. Five other charges were read into the record and dismissed.

According to the criminal complaint the 38-year-old victim had broken up with Daffinson but had allowed him back in her residence to retrieve his personal property. That is when he attacked her.

She told police he struck here with the hatchet at least 30 times. Her arms and hands took most of the blows from the hatchet, both arms were broken, and she had several skull fractures.  She told investigators she believed he allowed her to live because she promised to tell police she fell down the stairs.

Daffinson will be sentenced on June 29^th.