An Oconee County grand jury has handed down a 10-count indictment against a local man accused of assaulting his brother-in-law with a knife, threatening to kill him and three other family members last summer.

James Erik Hester, 33, has been indicted on the charges of aggravated assault, four counts of terroristic threats and acts, and two counts of battery.  

The alleged incident took place in the evening of August 21, 2011 at a home in the 1100 block of Watson Springs Road. Hester was hospitalized for treatment of a single, non-life threatening gunshot to the abdomen, after authorities said he was shot by his brother-in-law as an act of self-defense.

Hester was arrested on January 18 and released the following day on a $25,000 bond, according to earlier reports.

Criminal indictments are not evidence of guilt; they are only charges.   Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.