LISA HOBBS - News Editor
A verbal domestic turned physical on Sunday, Sept. 13, resulting in a charge of attempted second-degree homicide.
Roy Cotten, 49, was served with a warrant and taken into custody today. He is being held at Warren County Jail with a bond amount set at $55,000.
According to McMinnville Police Detective Corey Knowles, Cotten allegedly choked his 18-year-old son into unconsciousness.
“It came out as a domestic between a father and son,” said Knowles. “The father went too far and rendered his son unconscious. According to the aggravated assault statute, you can charge attempted second-degree homicide on that. That’s why we went with second degree.”
The family lives on Sparta Street. The incident occurred at approximately 2 p.m.
“I got called at 4 o’clock, but I think they said that it happened about around 2,” said Knowles.
When questioned about that time delay, he added, “The 10-year-old daughter [sister of the victim] called grandpa. Grandpa and grandma came to the residence and got the kids and took them back to their house. Then, they called 911.”
Knowles says the victim is “bruised up” but will be fine, “He was choked out. The unconsciousness justifies the charge of attempted second degree homicide.”
Mobile patrol had Cotten wrongly charged with second degree murder.
Cotten is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.