RICHMOND —
A Livingston man turned himself in Tuesday at the Madison County Sheriff’s Department after a warrant was issued charging him in an assault that left another man with 58 stitches and staples in his head.
Chell Swinney Jr., 27, is charged with first-degree assault and third-degree criminal mischief in an incident that occurred July 9 in Madison County, according to the warrant sworn out by Kentucky State Police Trooper Greg Newman.
The assault charge is a Class B felony that carries a penalty of 10 to 20 years in prison. Third-degree criminal mischief is a Class B misdemeanor with a penalty of up to 90 days in jail.
Swinney came to Gregory Botkins’ house at 5:30 a.m. July 9 and asked him for money, the warrant stated. Botkins said he did not have any money, and “the defendant brought a steel pipe from behind his back and began hitting the victim on the head,” the warrant stated.
Botkins attempted to protect his head from the attack and suffered wounds to his hands, arms and elsewhere on his body, according to the warrant. The trooper reported that Botkins’ roommate witnessed the attack.
After assaulting Botkins, Swinney fled, but before he left the property, he caused “extensive damage” to the outside of the home and injured Botkins’ dog so severely it had to be put down, the warrant stated.
Botkins was taken to St. Joseph Berea hospital where he received 58 stitches and staples to his head and 14 stitches to his hands, according to the Trooper Newman.
The trooper swore out the warrant Aug. 6, and Swinney turned himself in Tuesday.
Swinney’s bond was set at $20,000 cash or property. A log cabin and 27.5 acres of land in Rockcastle County owned by Barbara Mason was used for Swinney’s property bond, and he was released the next day.
Swinney is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 9 a.m. Wednesday in Madison District Court.
Sarah Hogsed can be reached at shogsed @richmondregister.com or 624-6694.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Chell Swinney
Man charged in steel pipe attack on Madison County resident
Defendant also accused of severely injuring dog
- Local News
-
-
‘Etta May’s On Her Way’ for Model Lab benefit
Laughter will fill Eastern Kentucky University’s Keen Johnson Ballroom June 8 when southern comedienne Etta May comes to town for Model Laboratory School’s first annual fundraising event.
Half of the ticket proceeds will be donated to help five Model program: Scholarships, gifted programs, the arts, athletics and extended field trips or exchange programs, said school psychologist Ellen Rini. -
Court hearing reveals errors in trafficking case’s investigative file
A discrepancy in police records led to an unusual hearing in a drug trafficking case Thursday in Madison Circuit Court.
The attorney for 49-year-old Carla Rae Clontz made a motion earlier this month for a bill of particulars hearing. Both the prosecution and defense attorneys had noticed problems with the file numbers in Clontz’ case, and there also were different reports of the number of pills sheriff’s deputies allege were found in her home. -
Man charged in theft of cash, skates from Sonic
Richmond police charged Isaac Hamilton, 20, of South Killarney Lane, with two counts of theft by unlawful taking under $500 Tuesday after he allegedly stole from his employer.
Hamilton, a former employee of Sonic on Big Hill Avenue, left the drive-in restaurant May 15 with $273.84, a change dispenser and a pair of roller skates and did not return, the business reported to police. -
Grand jury indicts man on DUI, endangerment charges in injury accident
A February car crash in which one person suffered a broken arm led to the indictment this week of an Irvine man on four wanton endangerment charges.
Zachary C. Goosey, 20, was was traveling eastbound Feb. 18 on the Eastern Bypass when his vehicle crossed the median and struck a westbound vehicle stopped at a traffic light, according to a Richmond police news release. -
Judge: Health exchange suit can proceed
Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd will allow a suit challenging Gov. Steve Beshear’s constitutional authority to establish a Health Benefit Exchange — a key feature of federal health care reform — to proceed.
On Thursday, Shepherd denied Beshear’s request to dismiss the suit brought by tea party activists David Adams, Dawn Cloyd and Sarah Durand. -
Board eyes cost-cutting options
In a special-called work session Tuesday, the Madison County School Board looked at ways of reducing a projected $2.84 million draw from its reserves to fund the 2013-14 budget.
-
‘Berea’s Unsung Heroes’
A group of Bereans were honored Tuesday night at the Berea Community School Board, many of which had never been in the spotlight before.
-
Berea relaxes yard sale ordinance, may restrict fireworks
The Berea City Council adopted a new yard sale ordinance Tuesday, but only after it was amended twice.
-
Items stolen, but no one injured in home invasion
Berea police are looking for a man who broke into a First Street home Monday and threatened a resident with a knife.
-
Madison County veterans to host Memorial Day ceremonies
The Madison County Veterans Association, which includes a number of local veterans’ organizations, will be hosting two Memorial Day ceremonies Monday.
The first will take place at the Richmond Cemetery near the flagpole at 10 a.m., and the second will follow at noon in Madison County Memorial Gardens on Berea Road.
Everett King of the American Legion, which is coordinating this year’s events, said U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, R-Sixth District, will be present at the morning ceremony.
Every year the Memorial Day event has a theme. Last year’s theme was honoring Vietnam veterans, King said, while this year’s theme is honoring all American soldiers. - More Local News Headlines
-
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
