Man charged in strangling

A Russellville man was indicted recently for allegedly strangling his estranged girlfriend at a local hotel earlier this year.
Ray Edward Nelson, 52, 100 Holiday Plaza, Apt. 106A, Russellville, was indicted by the November grand jury for domestic violence by strangulation, Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing said.
According to Rushing the charge stems from an incident that took place the evening of March 24.
Reports indicate that Nelson arrived at a residence on Waterloo Road where his estranged girlfriend was staying and asked her to come outside so he could talk to her.
Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett said after the victim agreed to come outside, Nelson allegedly forced her into his vehicle and took her to a local hotel where he had been living at the time.
Hargett said the victim reported that when Nelson had taken her inside the hotel room, he reportedly began to hit her with his fists and slap her.
Hargett said Nelson is then accused of taking a shirt and using it to strangle the victim, who said she blacked out several times during the alleged strangulation.
“At some point during the altercation, the victim was able to get out of the hotel room and she used Mr. Nelson’s vehicle to drive herself to the police department to get help,” Hargett said.
“She came to the side entrance and after telling an officer what had happened, she was taken by ambulance to the emergency room at Russellville Hospital to treat her injuries.”
Hargett said while she was at the hospital, she was questioned further by investigators and, following the questioning, Nelson was picked up and arrested on the domestic violence by strangulation charge.
Rushing said the grand jury indicted Nelson after hearing the facts of the case and deciding there was enough information to take the case to trial.
Rushing said Nelson will be set for arraignment on Jan. 13 and his case will be placed on the February criminal trial docket.