Family members of veteran, assault victim in northern Arkansas speak out

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. (KY3) – A Mountain Dwelling man appeared earlier than a choose this week, accused of assaulting a feminine veteran in late August.

Caleb Woodell, 31, faces a second-degree home battery cost.

Mountain Dwelling Police Division officers say the sufferer had acknowledged she and Woodell had gotten right into a verbal argument, and he started beating and kicking her. She ended up in intensive care.

Woodell was launched from jail the identical day after posting a $10,000 bond. Members of the family of the sufferer really feel Woodell deserves harsher fees, and minimal holding durations ought to be required for assault offenders.

“It has been portrayed as being an ample cost primarily based on the knowledge they’d on the time,” stated Timothy Kosharek, the sufferer’s father.

The sufferer’s stepmother was the primary to reach on the hospital following the alleged assault.

“I believed that was another person within the mattress.,’” stated April Hutchens. “They stated, ‘yeah, proper there.’ I didn’t go in. I needed to exit as a result of I didn’t acknowledge the particular person mendacity within the mattress. With the injury that was executed to her, it’s exhausting to fathom that one particular person did all that.”

Hutchens says she is talking out as a result of she feels a change in Arkansas legislation is required.

“I don’t need there to be one other (case like this),” she stated. “The one method to try this is to alter the legal guidelines. The police and district attorneys can solely achieve this a lot by what our legal guidelines are giving them. They want instruments like bail reform, putting holds on individuals, extra sources for victims of violent crimes.”

The Mountain Dwelling Police Division says the investigation into the case is ongoing. When requested in regards to the circumstances of the cost at present towards Woodell, the prosecuting legal professional’s workplace supplied the next assertion:

“This matter continues to be investigated by officers of the Mountain Dwelling Police Division. This investigation is designed to find out if there any further fees are applicable primarily based upon proof that has been obtained because the unique legal case. If there’s a willpower made, this info can be supplied to the workplace of the prosecuting legal professional. The prosecuting legal professional then will make the choice of applicable fees below Arkansas legislation.”

Presently, Woodell is free on bond. He pleaded not responsible throughout his arraignment on Monday. No additional court docket date has been filed at the moment.

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