A Baxter County man has been arrested after breaking into his ex-wife’s home, fighting her brother and father and causing damage to the residence.
48-year-old Jayson Lee Cotter was booked into the Baxter County Detention Center on a felony charge of residential burglary and misdemeanor counts of third degree battery and criminal mischief after an altercation occurred Oct. 12.
According to the probable cause affidavit, authorities were dispatched to a residence in Cotter in reference to a fight in progress between two males. Upon arrival, statements were taken from two victims as well as Cotter. Victim 2 stated he heard a noise downstairs and came out of the bedroom to find Cotter in the basement of the residence. Cotter allegedly ran past the victim 2 and up the stairs where he was stopped by victim 1.
Cotter and victim 1 allegedly fought at the top of the stairs where the victim punched Cotter, knocking him to the ground and busting his head open. Victim 1 then allegedly fought Cotter until he was able to pin him down until deputies arrived on scene. During the altercation victim 2 stated he saw a fixed blade knife sheath on Cotter’s side so he took it and threw it so Cotter would not have access during the altercation.
Upon arrival, authorities noted the residence belonged to Cotters ex-wife, who he has been divorced from since 2006 and never lived at the residence with, and the two victims were noted to be the ex-wife’s father and brother.
Authorities witnessed obvious signs of an altercation on victim 1 who had a swollen lip, skin deformation on both knees and redness on both hands and wrists. Victim 1 then transported himself to Baxter Health for treatment of possible broken bones in his wrist.
While searching the residence, authorities noted a fresh hole in the sheetrock at the top of the stairs, a large hole in the sheetrock close to the floor where the main altercation took place, and blood on the floor and wall at the area of the large hole in the sheetrock.
Cotter was then transported to the Baxter County Detention Center where he requested to “tell his side of the story.”
Cotter stated he “just wanted to see his dog,” and knew he did not live at the residence. Cotter stated he let himself in the back door of the residence where the altercation then occurred with the two victims.
A no-contact order was put into place for the ex-wife, as well as the two victims.
Estimated damage to the residence is $1,000. Bond is set at $25,000.
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