Tuesday, February 9, 2010 | DeKalb County's Oldest Newspaper

Hostage event diffused By Mark Harrison The Times-Journal Published October 16, 2009 Law enforcement diffused a hostage situation in Crossville early Thursday morning, and a Crossville man is in the DeKalb County jail. Rodney Wayne Couthen, 39, of County Road 17, was arrested in connection with the incident and charged with third-degree domestic violence and possession of drug paraphernalia. DeKalb Sheriff Jimmy Harris said Couthen allegedly held his live-in girlfriend and a child against their will for a short period of time, and threatened to kill himself with a gun. Harris said the incident happened around 8:30 a.m. at the County Road 17 home, where the couple had lived together. He said the couple had “had been engaged in ongoing situations of domestic violence” and the woman was preparing to leave. He said after Couthen left for work Thursday morning, the woman began packing her belongings, but Couthen returned to find her. Harris said a child was also present. “An altercation ensued, during which Couthen threatened suicide with a gun and told the woman she couldn’t leave,” Harris said. “When officers arrived, Couthen came out of the residence and surrendered himself without further incident.” Harris said sheriff deputies Van Douglas, Alfred Rigstad, Gary Hill and Sgt. Brad Edmonson went to the home, as did Crossville police officer Jacky Clayton. Couthen was taken to the DeKalb County Detention Center, where he was still being held Thursday afternoon, awaiting bond. Share | Save | Mail | Print

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