Orleans Man Found Guilty in Ax Attack

BARNSTABLE, Mass. (AP) — An Orleans man has been convicted of charges he invaded the home of his girlfriend’s friends and attacked one woman with an ax, leaving her with a cut that required six stitches.

Jamie Hempel, 44, was found guilty Friday by a Barnstable Superior Court jury of home invasion, assault with the intent to murder and related crimes stemming from the March 23, 2015 attack.

Prosecutors say Hempel entered the home in Orleans uninvited and attacked the victim with an ax, striking her shoulder. He swung the ax at her legs but missed. Hempel’s girlfriend escaped unharmed.

Hempel has been accused of assault by multiple women and has had at least 18 restraining orders filed against him.

Sentencing is scheduled for Tuesday.