Gray woman charged with second-degree assault

A fight that resulted in a broken tooth has led to an assault charge against a Gray woman that is punishable by up to ten years in prison.

Knox County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Joanne Blackwood, 52, on one count of second-degree assault stemming from a fight with her stepdaughter at her residence on Dr. Parker Lane last Wednesday morning.

Deputy Claude Hudson wrote in the arrest citation that police were called to the scene at approximately 11:45 a.m. in response to a complaint of a fight in progress.

“Officers observed the victim crying and in severe pain from a broken tooth,” Hudson stated.

According to statements obtained at the scene, Hudson stated that the victim, identified as Heather Blackwood, had been at Joanne Blackwood’s residence for approximately two hours when an argument began.

As Heather Blackwood attempted to leave with her small children, Joanne Blackwood assaulted her in the driveway.

“As officers were gathering information the accused (Joanne Blackwood) was yelling and cursing from the porch across the roadway at the victim and witness,” Hudson stated adding that when officers spoke with Joanne Blackwood they received conflicting statements as to what had occurred.

Joanne Blackwood was initially arrested on the assault charge.

“Post arrest the accused (Joanne Blackwood) threatened to beat the victim along with her ex-husband and his new girlfriend. The accused refused to de-escalate at the request of officers and resisted as she was being walked to the cruiser,” Hudson stated.

As a result, Joanne Blackwood was also charged with second-degree disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and third-degree terroristic threatening.

Hudson stated that Heather Blackwood sought treatment for the broken tooth at a dentist.

Joanne Blackwood is being held in the Knox County Detention Center on a $25,000 cash bond.

She is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Knox District Court.

Under Kentucky law, second-degree assault is a class C felony, carrying a potential prison sentence of five to ten years.