FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A Fayette County man was arrested after deputies responded to an open-line 911 call and a woman reported that he grabbed her by the neck and threatened to kill her, according to a police report.
Randal Smith was taken into custody following the October 20 incident at a residence on Dempsey Road.
Deputy N. W. Clutter received the call around 9:40 p.m. Dispatchers reported hearing what sounded like a physical domestic altercation and someone saying, “Get your hands off of me,” before the line disconnected.
Clutter and Deputy T. Walker arrived approximately 10 minutes later. As they approached the home, Clutter reported hearing loud arguing and a noise that could have been an object being thrown or someone being struck.
Clutter entered the residence and found Smith standing in front of a woman seated in a recliner. Deputies separated the two and interviewed them individually.
According to the report, Smith said the argument began after the woman woke him to discuss medical problems involving his mother. He told deputies the woman had been drinking and denied that a physical altercation occurred.
Clutter reported observing a swollen red mark with what appeared to be finger impressions on Smith’s left arm. When questioned, Smith said he did not know how the mark occurred and again denied any physical confrontation.
The woman told Clutter that Smith became angry after she woke him and said he needed to visit his mother in the hospital.
During the argument, she alleged, Smith grabbed her around the neck and attempted to choke her. She told the deputy that she did not lose consciousness and that her airway was not restricted.
Clutter reported observing a large red mark on her neck and upper chest, along with marks on her upper legs that appeared to develop into bruises during their conversation.
The woman said the leg injuries occurred when Smith pulled away a cup she was holding tightly between her legs, according to the report.
When asked whether Smith had threatened her, the woman played an audio recording from her phone.
Clutter reported hearing a man and woman whose voices matched those of Smith and the woman arguing. During the recording, the man could be heard saying, “When I get out of jail, I’m going to kill you,” followed by additional profanity, according to the report.
Smith was arrested and transported to Southern Regional Jail. The provided narrative does not identify the specific charges filed against him.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
