Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jabar Darnel Colley, 22, was arrested yesterday in connection with two reported domestic battery incidents involving the same victim. Police say the first occurred on July 20, when Colley allegedly slapped the victim and shut a door on her hand; five days later, on July 25, he is accused of choking her and swinging a hammer at her.
According to a Gainesville Police Department officer, the victim reported that she and Colley were arguing on July 20 when she asked him to leave her home, but he refused. She said Colley swung a closed fist toward her leg, then opened his hand at the last moment and “smacked” her. When he still would not leave, she reportedly tried to exit the apartment, but Colley closed the door on her hand before leaving the residence.
The responding officer documented a hand-shaped red mark on the victim’s leg, along with an open cut on her hand that was bleeding and beginning to swell.
In the July 25 incident, Colley allegedly grabbed the victim by the throat during another argument, restricted her breathing, and slammed her to the ground. The victim told police the two wrestled until she managed to push him away and run out of the apartment, with Colley following her. She said he then picked up a hammer and swung it at her, causing her to fear for her safety.
The officer reported seeing red marks around the victim’s neck. A hammer was also reportedly located on the floor inside the home.
After being read his Miranda rights, Colley reportedly told police that he and the victim argue frequently and that some of their fights have turned physical. He said the victim kicked him in the knee, and the officer noted that Colley’s knee was bleeding. Colley denied choking the victim or threatening her with a hammer during the July 25 incident, but reportedly said he may have grabbed her by the throat during previous fights.
Colley, whose listed address is in Tampa, has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, domestic battery by strangulation, and domestic battery. His full criminal history was not available. Judge David Kreider set bail at $25,000 on the domestic battery charge and ordered Colley held without bail on the aggravated assault charge while a State Attorney’s Office motion to detain him without bail until trial is pending. If the judge denies that motion, bail will be determined at that hearing.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
