BRENTWOOD — A Raymond man was indicted for allegedly carving a large ‘X’ on the top of his father-in-law’s head with a knife in May, prosecutors said Thursday.

Michael Masterson, 44, was indicted on first- and second-degree assault charges for the May 9 attack in Epping.

Masterson faces up to 7½ to 15 years in state prison if he is convicted by a jury of the first-degree assault charge.

Epping police arrested Masterson shortly after responding to a 911 call at the home of 64-year-old James Deveau, according to court records.

Deveau was on the front porch of his home at 28 Mast Road in Epping when officers arrived at his residence.

He was covered in blood from a head injury, police said.

When officers looked closer at the wound, they discovered his injury was a large ‘X’ carved into the top of his head, according to a police affidavit.

Police said they found a large amount of blood on the floors, walls and kitchen counter of Deveau’s home.

Deveau first told police he did not know how he was cut but later said that Masterson had come to his house earlier in the day, the affidavit said.

The two men argued about Masterson’s wife, and about Deveau’s late wife, her ashes and a necklace, according to police. Deveau told police the last thing he remembered was turning around to look for his cat and dog then waking up in a pool of his own blood. Deveau was treated at Exeter Hospital for his injuries.

Police said Masterson fled Deveau’s home after the attack. Officers went looking for Masterson at his home in Raymond, but he wasn’t there.

When Masterson arrived home, he fled on foot into nearby woods, according to police. A police dog tracked him down to a shed, where he was arrested at gunpoint. Police searched Masterson’s home and found a variety of weapons, including knives, handguns and parts to AK-47s.

jkimble@newstote.com