(FOND DU LAC) A Ripon man has been convicted of attempted homicide and sexual assault stemming from a June 2025 hatchet attack, the Fond du Lac County district attorney announced Tuesday.
Hayden L. Daffinson pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree homicide, first-degree sexual assault, and mayhem in Fond du Lac County Circuit Court. District Attorney Eric Toney said the crimes carried a domestic abuse enhancer.
According to a criminal complaint, the attacker and the victim were in a relationship for several months and were living together for about a month. The victim decided to end the relationship with Daffinson about a week prior to the attack.
The complaint states Daffinson was to come to the victim’s home on the day of the attack to retrieve his belongings. Instead, he attacked the victim with a hatchet while attempting to sexually assault her.
The victim was struck by the hatchet approximately 25 times or more, according to the complaint.
Daffinson faces up to 105 years in prison and 35 years of extended supervision. Five counts were dismissed but read in, meaning the judge can consider them during sentencing.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 29.
