William Vincent Cody
On the evening of Friday, April 25 Clay County Officer Sean Stout was dispatched to 1593 Fires Creek Road in reference to a report of gunshots being fired and a woman screaming for help and wanting the police. Upon arrival at the residence, Stout knocked on the door and was met by William Vincent Cody who was totally nude and intoxicated. Cody, 44, lived at this address. Cody began cursing and refused to talk with Stout. Clay County Investigator Steven Smith soon arrived at the scene to back up Stout.
Cody eventually calmed down and told Stout and Smith that Jennifer Newton was inside and there were no issues between them. Cody was told that Stout and Smith would not be leaving the residence until Newton was seen. Cody reluctantly allowed Newton to come out of the bedroom at which time it was obvious she had been attacked due to her face being covered in blood and having signs of strangulation. Cody, by then clothed, was arrested and EMS was called to attend to Newton.
Newton subsequently told the officers that Cody had shot at and assaulted her. Smith knew Cody to be a convicted felon and that he had a pending charge for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Stout was left to secure the residence while Smith appeared before a magistrate and secured a search warrant for premises.
During a search of the residence, Smith found a 40 caliber semi-automatic pistol on the bedroom floor. The state of the pistol indicated that it had been fired until it ran out of ammunition. Smith also found 40 caliber expended cartridge casings on the floor. A grouping of 14 bullet holes in the bedroom wall were noted and extremely close to where Newton said she was standing when Cody was shooting at her. Miscellaneous items of drug paraphernalia and suspected marijuana were also found and seized from the residence.
Cody was charged with another count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, assault by strangulation, assault by pointing a gun, felony possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, first degree kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. Cody was held without bond.