Bars from a prison jail cast a shadow on the floro.

Castle Rock, CO – A Douglas County jury has found 65-year-old Daniel Fougner guilty of felony assault on an at-risk adult and felony tampering with physical evidence for a violent attack on an 80-year-old man in Parker last fall.

Prosecutors said Fougner assaulted Richard Wright in October 2024 during a dispute over unpaid money while staying at Wright’s home.

According to trial evidence, Fougner grabbed a 2×4 piece of lumber and struck Wright twice in the head, causing a severe subdural hematoma that doctors said posed a significant risk of death.

After the attack, Fougner reportedly used a garden hose to wash blood from the driveway before fleeing the scene. He was arrested later that day in Castle Rock.

Prosecutors call attack ‘vicious and deliberate’

“Mr. Wright is an 80-year-old man who opened his home and heart to someone down on his luck,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Eva Wilson said in a statement. “When he simply asked to be repaid, he was met with brutal violence. This verdict assures accountability on a man who preyed on the kindness of another.”

Deputy District Attorney Joe Ratner said the jury’s decision reflected the gravity of Fougner’s actions. “After beating Mr. Wright, the defendant tried to wash away the evidence and flee,” Ratner said. “The jury saw through that and delivered justice.”

Victim recovering after hospitalization

Wright was hospitalized at Advent Health Parker, where he was treated in the intensive care unit and is expected to recover.

Fougner faces sentencing in the coming weeks. Conviction for assault on an at-risk adult in Colorado carries enhanced penalties due to the victim’s age and vulnerability.

Prosecutors hailed the verdict as a message that violence against seniors will be pursued aggressively in the 23rd Judicial District.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Shore News Network Staff Report is the official newsroom byline used by Shore News Network when a story is produced through the collaborative work of multiple members of the editorial team rather than a single reporter.

This newsroom account is reserved for articles that involve contributions from multiple journalists, editors, photographers, researchers, or news desk staff. It is also used for developing stories that are updated as new verified information becomes available, as well as for community announcements, weather coverage, public safety alerts, election results, and other newsroom-produced content.

Every article published under the Shore News Network Staff Report byline is reviewed and edited in accordance with the organization's editorial standards for accuracy, fairness, attribution, and transparency. Information is verified through official government agencies, court records, law enforcement, public documents, direct reporting, interviews, and other reliable primary and secondary sources before publication whenever possible.

The Staff Report account does not use artificial intelligence to independently generate news or publish unverified information. AI-assisted tools may occasionally be used for editorial support tasks such as transcription, formatting, grammar review, or workflow efficiency, but all published content is subject to human editorial oversight and approval by Shore News Network's newsroom staff.

As an independently owned digital news organization, Shore News Network is committed to original reporting, public safety journalism, government accountability, local community coverage, and breaking news throughout New Jersey and surrounding regions. Stories published under the Staff Report byline reflect the collective experience and editorial judgment of the Shore News Network newsroom.

Readers who have corrections, additional information, or news tips related to a Staff Report article are encouraged to contact the newsroom at news@shorenewsnetwork.com. Shore News Network welcomes factual corrections and updates as part of its commitment to accurate, transparent journalism.