A 38-year-old Brinnon man was arrested early Monday morning for attempted first-degree murder after he allegedly attacked his ex-girlfriend with a machete.

James Nathaniel Parker was booked into Jefferson County Jail at 1:41 a.m. Jan. 18.

Deputies were called to a home in Brinnon at 9:24 p.m. Sunday after a neighbor called to report a domestic incident, said Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Detective Brett Anglin.

Dispatchers were called just before 9:30 p.m. Sunday and a man said his neighbor had been attacked by “her ex” at a home in Brinnon and was bleeding “rather badly.”

The woman told police she had just gotten home and opened the door when Parker attacked her with a machete.

The pair had a five-year long relationship before they separated five years ago, Parker was her ex, according to court documents, and they also had a child together.

A deputy responding to the 911 call found the woman sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle with significant cutting injuries to both arms as well as her upper back, head, neck and shoulders.

One wound was at least two feet in length.

Parker’s vehicle was allegedly seen fleeing the area at a high rate of speed. 

Emergency dispatchers were then notified that Parker’s 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt had been sighted on U.S. Highway 101 in Mason County, near Hamma Hamma, and was in the roadway blocking traffic.

The woman was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for medical treatment and her injuries were not life threatening when she arrived at the hospital, Anglin said.

Anglin said Parker had tried to carjack an occupied vehicle on
U.S. Highway 101 in Mason County, but was arrested after a K-9 unit was called in and tracked Parker to where he was hiding nearby. He was taken into custody at 11:09 p.m. Sunday, Anglin said.

The attempted carjacking occurred after Parker’s vehicle had mechanical problems, according to a Facebook post by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office. 

The sheriff’s office said Jano, its K-9 unit, found the suspect after he fled on foot after unsuccessfully trying to steal another vehicle. Parker was found hiding in the woods about 100 yards from his car.

A sheriff’s sergeant read Parker his rights when he was arrested and asked why he tried to kill the woman in Brinnon.

He answered: “Because the voices told me to do it,” according to court records.

When asked if the voices told him to use a machete, Parker allegedly answered “yes.”

Deputies found dried blood on Parker’s face and hands as he was taken into custody.

During a subsequent interview, he said he didn’t remember anything beyond watching television at his house and being arrested.

Parker allegedly admitted to having consumed methamphetamine six to seven months ago, but said he hadn’t used the drug since.

During the interview with police, Parker said several times that he had been hearing voices for several months.

A search of Parker’s car found smeared blood on the driver’s door and near the door handle. Blood was found in multiple places at the victim’s home, as well.

The investigation of the assault was continuing earlier this week. The Washington State Patrol was assisting, and personnel from the WSP crime lab began a forensic investigation of the crime scene.

Parker made his first appearance in Jefferson County Superior Court Tuesday morning. He faces two felony counts; attempted first-degree murder (domestic violence) and first-degree assault (domestic violence).

Judge Keith Harper read him his rights and signed an order giving Parker a public defender. He was ordered to return to court Wednesday, Jan. 20 for a hearing on bail. 

Prosecuting Attorney James Kennedy told the judge Parker had prior convictions for second-degree attempted burglary and second-degree child molestation, as well as multiple allegations of child molestation in his record.

Bail was initially set at $500,000.

Harper also ordered that Parker have no contact with the victim.