Soddy-Daisy Detective Facing Domestic Assault Charge

  • Monday, August 20, 2007

A Soddy-Daisy detective has been placed on administrative leave after being charged with domestic assault.

James Howard "Chip" Smith was charged in the incident on Friday at his home at 905 Clayhill Dr. in Soddy-Daisy.

Smith was arrested by county deputies.

He was held at the County Jail for just over an hour and allowed an OR bond by Judicial Commissioner Gordon Petty.

Under state law, those charged with domestic assault are to spend at least 12 hours in jail - unless the judicial commissioner or judge finds he is not a threat to the alleged victim.

The complaint says he got into an argument with his wife, Melissa Marlow Smith, "which led to a physical confrontation."

It says Mrs. Smith had confronted her husband "on a marital issue" and he grabbed her and threw her across a bed onto their child, who was asleep.

Mrs. Smith said her husband was on top of her and began strangling her with his hands around her neck. She said they began screaming and hitting each other.

Mrs. Smith said she ran into another room and called 911 on her cell phone. She said her husband grabbed the phone from her and hung it up.

She said he pushed her down on a couch, but she was able to get away.

Officers said they saw injuries to the right side of Mrs. Smith's neck as well as injuries on her left arm.

Smith is due in General Sessions Court on Sept. 7.

Mrs. Smith gave her address as Montlake Road, Soddy-Daisy.

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