James Favors
A Chattanooga man who pleaded guilty to torturing his girlfriend was sentenced on Thursday to 15 years in state prison.
James Durand Favors III. who is now 28, on July 2, 2019, entered a plea of guilty to four counts of aggravated domestic assault.
Assistant District Attorney Colin Campbell presented evidence in the case to show that in March of 2017, Favors held a woman hostage and tortured her.
Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Tom Greenholtz announced the sentence.
Authorities said Favors used a heated knife during the incident.
The girlfriend had to be transferred to an out-of-state burn center because of the seriousness of her injuries.
The woman said the incident happened at his house on Gadd Road.
She said Favors took her cell phone and then repeatedly assaulted her over a two-day period.
She said he would punch her in the face and then cut her with the knife, including in her genital area.
Hospital staff said she suffered second- and third-degree burns.
In an incident in 2014, Favors was arrested for kidnapping a former girlfriend.
A woman said her sister had been staying with her for several days because Favors allegedly held her against her will and assaulted her on Christmas Eve 2014 at a residence on Anderson Avenue.
Police said Favors came by the sister's house on 6th Avenue and walked in the open front door uninvited.
Marcella Thornton said her sister, Erica, had been staying with her for several days because Favors allegedly held her against her will and assaulted her on Christmas Eve at a residence on Anderson Avenue.
Police said Favors came by the sister's house on 6th Avenue and walked in the open front door uninvited. He made his way upstairs to where the former girlfriend was. Less than three minutes later, he came down the steps holding her arms behind her back and forced her to his car, it was stated.
Police said Steven Eberhardt witnessed the incident and he chased after the Favors vehicle until it reached dangerous speeds and he could no longer keep up.
Favors was 23 at the time of his arrest.