Victims of hammer attack are recovering

Two victims of a hammer attack early Nov. 23 in Vancouver have been discharged from the hospital and are recovering.

One of the victims, Rena Donnelly, attended her suspected attacker’s arraignment hearing Friday.

Marcus A. Morrison, 30, pleaded not guilty Friday in Clark County Superior Court to charges of first-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted murder domestic violence and first-degree burglary.

His trial is scheduled for Jan. 27. He is still in Clark County Jail on $300,000 bail.

The Battle Ground man is accused of bashing the heads of Donnelly and his best friend, Aaron Warner, with a hammer after finding them in bed together at Warner’s house in the Kevanna neighborhood. Donnelly apparently had broken up with Morrison late Nov. 22 and went home with Warner, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in court.

Both of the victims had fractured skulls and bleeding on the brain, said Deputy Prosecutor Luka Vitasovic.

Donnelly sat in the courtroom’s public gallery Friday with the left half of her head shaved from the injuries. She also had a swollen eye.