A 58-year-old man who stomped on the face of a homeless musician in downtown Portland was sentenced Tuesday to 7 years and four months in prison.

Matthew Lee Owen, a troubled Army veteran with a history of mental health problems, was found guilty of second-degree assault during a jury trial in January.

The attack happened about 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 26 near Southwest Fourth Avenue and Washington Street.

Matthew Lee Owen (MCSO)

The woman, Lori DeTie, had been playing her guitar along the sidewalk, and when she made a mistake in a song, Owen called her a rude name, according to trial testimony. DeTie then wagged her finger at Owen and told him not to use such language, according to the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office.

Owen responded by grabbing her arm, throwing her on the ground and repeatedly stomping his hiking boot into DeTie’s face while she lay on the pavement, according to the prosecution.

Bystanders distracted Owen so DeTie could escape, said Deputy District Attorney Todd Jackson.

In addition to broken facial bones, DeTie suffered damage to her teeth and a partially detached lower lip and had to undergo surgery.

Multnomah County Circuit Judge Leslie Roberts handed down Owen's prison term of more than seven years. Oregon sentencing guidelines called for a minimum 5 years and 10 months in prison.

Owen has a history of erratic behavior.

Four months before stomping on DeTie, Owen was sentenced for tossing chunks of asphalt off the Departure Lounge deck atop The Nines hotel in downtown Portland. That forced the closure of the sidewalk and street below to pedestrians, cars and MAX traffic.

The prosecution said Owen also called some women at the bar insulting names, threatened employees with a knife and tossed over tables.

In that case, he was sentenced to 150 days in jail and Veterans Court, a special program designed to connect former members of the service with mental health counseling, drug and alcohol treatment and housing options.

-- Aimee Green