Photo: Nykola Kotyk Jr.
A rural Mountain Home man accused of swinging a hatchet at Baxter County deputies in late 2017 will remain in the custody of the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) to continue treatment of his mental problems. Prosecutor David Ethredge made the announcement during a session of Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday.
Fifty-five-year-old Nykola Kotyk Jr. was found not-fit-to-proceed Aug. 18 last year following a psychological examination. He was ordered into DHS custody for treatment. The state agency is to report periodically to the court on Kotyk condition.
During the course of his case, Kotyk wrote and sent a flurry of letters now contained in his case file. He proclaimed himself not guilty, not insane, alleged his charges were all fake and without merit, and the deputies who came to his home seemed to be either “drunk or high on drugs.”
He has told the court during past appearances he has been a resident of this area for 15 years and was a “good citizen.”
A not-fit-to-proceed order was first filed in his case Aug. 22, 2018.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Kotyk was arrested in late December 2017 when deputies responded to a disturbance call at his residence along County Road 420. They reported finding him standing on his lawn “screaming and cussing at the top of his voice.”
The deputies had to use stun guns to bring Kotyk under control. He was alleged to have swung a hatchet at the lawmen and made repeated demands they arrest his neighbors. According to court records, Kotyk accused his neighbors of electrifying his home, placing a “force field” around it and implanting electronic chips and listening devices in his head.
Neighbors reported Kotyk had threatened to put rat poison down their water wells and burn their homes while they were sleeping.
A letter written by one neighbor representing others began, “It has been my misfortune to be a neighbor of Nick Kotyk for 10 years.” The neighbor alleged Kotyk was dangerous and a threat to those living around him. The letter writer said people in the area feared one day Kotyk would make good on his frequent threats.
Kotyk is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, criminal use of a prohibited weapon and resisting arrest. The activity in his case is basically suspended while the treatment continues.
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