Husband Charged with Domestic Violence, Assault

The Jackson County Times-Journal has reported that on January 8 the Jackson County Sheriff's department was led to, and eventually arrested, a 25 year-old Wellston man after being notified by the Holzer Medical Center-Jackson of a patient that was admitted for apparent abuse.

The female, 21, presented to the hospital with a cut to her throat, as well as scratches and bruises on her neck, arms, hands and face.  One area, a puncture under her chin, required stitches.

At the hospital visit, the victim recounted two stories of how her injuries occurred.  In one she claimed to have fallen down a set of outdoor steps when she took out her dog.  Then she said that she fell a second time inside her home - tripping over a pile that included broken glass and picture frames - that caused the cut in her neck.

The officer's report detailed that the victim grew upset when asked if her husband, Jeffrey M. Smith, had anything to do with her condition.  She denied that Smith was responsible for her injuries. 

Two day later, on Monday January 10, the victim went to the Sheriff's station and gave a completely different accounting as to what had transpired between her and her spouse on January 8.

She said that they had spent the evening drinking together, gotten into their shared bed and then went to sleep.

Sometime during the night she was awakened by him sexually assaulting her.  Once that was over, she left the bed to go to the bathroom and he left the house. 

When he was gone the victim also decided to leave the residence. At the end of their driveway he was waiting for her, in an apparent attempt to block her path.  It was at this time that the victim alleged that he kicked and punched her.

Then he forcibly dragged her back into the home.

Back inside, the victim tried to leave a second time - by way of a window - and her abuser caught her again.  He then allegedly held her down on a couch, threatened her with a knife and cut her.

When the victim saw that damage done to her neck, she went back into the bathroom to try and stop the bleeding.  Her husband's father, that lives next door, entered the home at this time.  He convinced his son that the victim required medical attention and he took her to the emergency room.

Smith is facing a first-degree misdemeanor charge of domestic violence and a second-degree felony charge of felonious assault due to the alleged altercation.  He has been arrested and placed in the Jackson County Correctional Facility until his hearing date is set.

Smith has also received a bond revocation - for a failure to appear for community service due to a previous domestic violence case. 

If Smith is convicted this time he will receive another probation violation charge.

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