Wife in critical condition after Rhode Island man accused of violent hammer attack

A Rhode Island man is accused of a violent hammer attack on his wife over the weekend.

According to Chief Paul Gingerella, on Sunday just after 3:30 p.m., Westerly Police responded to Passapataug Avenue due to an emergency 911 call from a man stating he had attacked his wife with a hammer after an argument. 

On arrival, 72-year-old Robert Kaczynski, who matched the description he gave of himself to 911 operators and police dispatchers, was located by Officers standing at the front steps of the residence with his hands in the air, covered in blood. Westerly Police made contact with Kaczynski and secured him in handcuffs.

Westerly Police then made contact with the victim inside the residence who stated Kaczynski, who is also her husband, hit her with a hammer. 

Westerly Police and Westerly Ambulance Corps observed serious bodily injuries to the face and skull of Kaczynski’s wife, consistent with the use of a claw hammer.

The victim stated she was attacked twenty minutes prior to police arrival and during that twenty-minute time period, Kaczynski was continuously going back and hammering her head. He was read his Miranda warnings, and he refused to answer questions. 

The victim was transported to RI Hospital and was in critical condition. She sustained serious bodily injuries. 

Kaczynski was subsequently arrested and charged. 

At Monday’s arraignment he was held without bail and did not enter a plea.

Kaczynski’s next court appearance is a bail review on January 8th.