Charges reduced in felony battery

SANDPOINT — A Washington state man accused of beating a Bonner County man into unconsciousness in an unprovoked attack earlier this summer is pleading guilty to reduced charges.

Philip James Binger was charged with aggravated battery following the June attack on a 27-year-old man near the corner of South First Avenue and East Superior Street.

Binger was accused of sucker punching a pedestrian he thought was calling him names. After the alleged victim was knocked to the ground, he was punched and kicked until he was unconscious, according to the police report.

The incident occurred at about 2:30 a.m., as Binger was leaving a downtown bar in his vehicle.

The police report suggests that Binger was actually being taunted by tanked up revelers at Condo del Sol, but mistakenly believed the alleged victim was making fun of him.

The alleged victim told police the attack was unprovoked, a statement which was corroborated by two witnesses who happened to be at the intersection at the time of the incident.

A preliminary hearing on the felony battery charge was set for Wednesday, but Binger’s defense counsel, Fred Palmer, advised the court that his client intends to plead guilty to reduced charges, court records show.

Binger, also 27, will plead to misdemeanor battery and disturbing the peace, in addition to driving under the influence. A sentencing date is pending.

Binger, of Spokane, is the son of a deputy prosecutor in Kootenai County who handles civil cases, according to court documents.