A judge has taken a request for bond under advisement in the case of a Butler County man charged with first degree kidnapping, first degree burglary, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon.
Joseph Matthew Davis, 27, of the 2600 block of Woodstone Drive has been in the Butler County jail since Oct. 31, following an alleged altercation Oct. 29 with his girlfriend.
Davis entered a not guilty plea Tuesday to the charges. He is represented by Poplar Bluff attorney Matthew Edmundson.
Judge Wade Pierce heard requests this week for a no bond order to be lifted. As of Thursday afternoon, no ruling had been issued.
Pierce originally issued a no bond order in the case Oct. 31, finding sufficient evidence that a felony may have been committed. A no bond order is issued if the judge further believes the individual would not appear for court or is a danger to others.
An assault is alleged to have occurred shortly before 7 p.m. Oct. 29 at a Poplar Bluff home.
A woman reported that Davis arrived at the home to take possession of a dog, and was in the process of loading the animal into his vehicle.
“(The woman) shut the door and locked it to prevent Davis’ entry into the home,” documents filed by police with the court report. “Davis then kicked the door, breaking the door frame and Davis made his way into the residence.”
The woman said she retreated into a bathroom and alleges Davis then broke that door off its hinges and threw it at her.
“Davis then proceeded to strike her with an open hand and a closed fist,” according to police reports. “Davis then placed his hands around (the woman’s) neck, squeezing to the point of (the woman) not being able to breathe.”
Police were told Davis then left the woman and retrieved two knives from the kitchen, threatening to harm both the woman’s family and law enforcement. Officers said they observed multiple abrasions and bruises on both sides of the woman’s face, abdomen, back, neck and leg.
Police reports also allege Davis contacted members of the family, making threats to harm and kill them.
Davis also faces charges of second degree domestic assault and first degree property damage.