A 29-year-old Plymouth man faces two felony charges stemming from an encounter in which an officer was injured, according to court documents described by InkFreeNews. Spencer Thomas Southwell, who lives on 9B Road in Plymouth, is charged with resisting law enforcement causing moderate bodily injury, a Level 5 felony, and intimidation, a Level 6 felony.
The court-document account reported by InkFreeNews says an officer was sent to the residence after a woman called for help, reporting that Southwell had threatened to kill her. She asked for officers to approach without lights or sirens because she feared he would react if he noticed them. Dispatch remained in contact with her by text while the officer was en route.
Woman Says Southwell Kicked In Her Door
At the residence, the officer told Southwell he could speak with the woman through the glass and did not need to enter. Southwell reportedly urged the officer to leave and said everything was fine. The officer then asked for the woman to come outside so he could check on her safety, court documents state.
After Southwell was detained, the woman told the officer that he had kicked in her door and threatened to kill her, according to the court documents. She said this had happened before and that she feared he would kill her before police could intervene. She also told the officer Southwell had repeatedly asked whom she was texting and had taken her phone in the past.
Struggle Leaves Officer With Wrist Injury
When the officer began explaining that Southwell would be detained, Southwell reportedly reached toward the door to go back inside. The two struggled, and the officer later reported wrist pain and a popping sensation, according to the court-document account.
An Indiana Courts legislative update describes committee amendments and passage concerning the penalty for resisting law enforcement when an officer suffers moderate bodily injury. The update alone does not establish the final enactment or how the law applies in Southwell’s case. No court docket, plea or case outcome has been made available; the allegations remain allegations.
Victim assistance in Marshall County
Marshall County Victim Assistance says its services for crime victims are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with after-hours help available through any law enforcement agency. It identifies Heminger House in Plymouth as a shelter serving Marshall County and surrounding areas; the listed 24-hour number is 574-936-SAFE (7233).
