Independence woman is accused of attacking friend with a machete

Jackson County prosecutors have accused a 53-year-old woman of striking a “drinking friend” with a machete during an altercation Sunday.

Mamie Locklear of Independence is charged with second-degree assault and armed criminal action in connection with the incident in the 1500 block of South Baker Circle.

According to court records, responding officers found the victim with a severe cut to his left shoulder and a small laceration to his left leg. He was intoxicated and unable to tell the officers how the injuries occurred.

He was taken to a hospital, where it was discovered the cut had penetrated his skin, muscle tissue and rotator cuff and required surgery.

At the crime scene, an officer spoke with Locklear, who was described as extremely intoxicated. Locklear was wearing a T-shirt covered in blood. Blood splatters were on her socks and legs.

Locklear told officers the victim cut himself while playing with the machete. Officers found a 2 1/2 -foot long machete with blood on the blade.

A witness said Locklear argued with the victim before grabbing the machete and swinging it at the victim, striking him in the shoulder.

During an interview Monday, Locklear told investigators she and the victim had been in an altercation inside the residence and they were “best friends” and “drinking friends.”

At the hospital, the victim said Locklear hit him in the back of the head with a wrench while he worked on a bicycle. He was unsure what happened after that. He said he was hit with a machete while he was unconscious.

This story was originally published June 7, 2016 at 4:41 PM with the headline "Independence woman is accused of attacking friend with a machete."