Blaylocks appear before Judge Gary Starnes. Also shown are prosecutor Rodney Strong and attorney Bill Speek
Suspended East Ridge High School teacher Grant Blaylock hugged his wife in court on Wednesday after a no contact order was lifted that had been in effect since a month ago when he was charged with assaulting her.
However, General Sessions Court Judge Gary Starnes bound a charge of assault to the Grand Jury. The teacher had been charged with aggravated assault.
Judge Starnes said he remembered that Gretchen Blaylock had a gash on her nose when she was in court before. He said it appeared her husband had "recklessly" tossed her cell phone at her after an argument in their bedroom.
She said he tossed it while leaving the bedroom after she had asked for her phone back.
Ms. Blaylock said the incident was an accident and she had not wanted to press charges. Someone from the hospital had summoned police.
She said she would not have been hit by the cellphone had she not sat up in bed while it was headed toward her.
Ms. Blaylock said it was her husband's idea to take her to the hospital. She said he drove her.
She said it was found that she had "a possible underlying fracture of the nose." She said she went to work the next day and did not take any pain medication.
Attorney Bill Speek, who argued for dismissal of the charge, said Mr. Blaylock is unable to return to the classroom until the case is resolved. He is on leave without pay.
The attorney said, "He's a great teacher. During 18 years of marriage, he has not once raised his hand against his wife."
He added, "We believe this case will be quickly dismissed at the next level."