Inmate butts head through cell window

Moments after a judge refused to release Andrew Hamann from Douglas County Jail, the 24-year-old inmate bashed his head through a holding cell window and suffered cuts to his neck, wrist and foot.

Hamann, charged with two counts of animal cruelty, now faces a charge of destruction of jail property.

He is to appear before East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl on Friday on the new charge.

Following the incident at the jail, Hamann was taken to Carson-Tahoe Regional Medical Center for treatment and returned to custody Wednesday night.

Jail supervisor Capt. John Milby said Hamann seemed to be overwhelmed by what happened in court Wednesday and upset that he had not been released immediately to his parents' custody.

"He was upset and he hit his head into the window," Milby said. "We're taking precautions that he not harm himself and make sure he is OK."

An additional $2,500 was added to Hamann's bail reflecting the new charge.

He turned himself in to authorities last week, admitting he killed his puppy a year ago and his girlfriend's guinea pigs over the past few months.

He reportedly told investigators killing the animals gave him an adrenaline rush and he was frightened by his behavior.

Hamann's lawyer, Tod Young, asked Wednesday that Hamann be released on his own recognizance so he could enter a treatment facility.

"Everyone believes Andrew will benefit from some course of treatment," Young said. "He self-reported, he knew he needed help. He would like the court to release him so he can enter a treatment program."

Douglas County Assistant District Attorney Michael McCormick, calling Hamann's statements of the incidents "the most disturbing reports I've read in 22 years as a prosecutor," asked that Hamann not be released without bail.

EnEarl said he didn't want to release Hamann without a definite treatment plan.

"I've got concerns," EnEarl said. "You've certainly conducted yourself with dignity in this courtroom. You've got some fear issues about yourself. I think you're trying to do the right thing. I would like to see this resolved by doing it the right way."

EnEarl set a hearing for May 6 and told Hamann to return with information about where he would be treated, when he would be admitted and how he would get there.

If Hamann bails out, he will be fitted with an ankle monitor. He may not have firearms, dangerous weapons or animals, and is confined to his residence.

Andrew's father, James Hamann said after court the family was facing a "Catch-22" situation in trying to find help for Andrew, and had hoped he would be released on his own recognizance.

Hamann said he would have to come up with $1,540 for his son's release. That was before the jail destruction charge was added.

"He turned himself in, he needs help and now he's in jail," James Hamann said.

He believes the jail incident was a suicide attempt by his son.

"He never had suicidal attempts before. He's falling apart," he said.