Essex man is arrested following weekend assault

By JONATHON DAWE

SEMO News Service

ESSEX -- An Essex man was arrested after an altercation involving a stun gun, and a knife left another man bleeding and in need of medical attention.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Stoddard County Deputy Garry Brady responded to a call at 11:58 p.m., Saturday night regarding a domestic dispute in progress that involved a stabbing at 210 Brandon Street in Essex.

Brady had responded to the same address earlier in the evening at approximately 10:50 p.m., and had spoken with Paul David Holifield, Jr., 28, of Essex, concerning a dispute he had with his girlfriend's brother. Holifield told Brady that he would spend the evening at his mother's house and would return to his girlfriend's residence in the morning with an Essex Police escort. At the time, he said he did not want anything done concerning the incident.

According to the report, Brady was summoned again to the scene at 12:08 a.m., and spoke with Mark and Jennifer Childers. Mark Childers was bleeding from the head, and explained that his sister's (Jennifer) boyfriend, Holifield, had entered the house and "stuck a stun gun to his stomach and stunned him."

Mark Childers reportedly grabbed Holifield's arm, which was holding the stun gun, and pushed it above his head to keep from getting stunned again. The struggle reportedly put both men against a wall and into a window as Holifield allegedly continued to try to stun Mark Childers.

According to the report, Mark Childers told Holifield "to quit," and he would let him go. Holifield then allegedly hit Mark Childers over the head with the stun gun, causing it to break. Mark Childers then reportedly "grabbed (Holifield) around the throat and pushed him into the kitchen sink to keep from getting hurt anymore." Holifield then allegedly bit Mark Childers on the cheek.

Jennifer Childers then reportedly attempted to break up the altercation, and Holifield allegedly grabbed a knife from the kitchen counter and sliced Mark Childers' head "just above the eye," and then left the residence.

Brady reported that Jennifer Childers corroborated the story and also said that Holifield "had drank about a pint."

Holifield was later located at his mother's residence at 320 Main Street, where he was reportedly sitting on the couch. Brady was assisted by Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Richard Owens and entered the residence and advised Holifield of his rights "per miranda." Holifield stated he understood and would speak with the officers.

During the conversation, Holifield was asked about the use of the knife, and he reportedly said "if he is cut, it is just a little paper-cut."

Holifield reportedly stated he was defending himself in his own home. Brady advised Holifield that he had gone to the Childers' residence.

Brady noted in his report that he could smell alcohol, and that Holifield denied that he had been drinking; but a breathalyzer performed by Owens showed that he had a BAC of 0.88. Holifield later admitted that he "drank a malt liquor beer, one shot, and a small bottle of vodka."

Holifield was transported to the Stoddard County Sheriff's Office and placed on a 24-hour hold and was later charged with armed criminal action and second degree assault with a knife. Bond was set at $12,500 cash, and he remains in jail at his time.