By JAMES BROWN
Glasgow News 1
A Russell Springs has been indicted by a Barren County grand jury on three charges of second-degree assault.
On March 21, Aaron James Kelly, 24, allegedly assaulted employees at Papa John’s restaurant on Happy Valley Road in Glasgow. Glasgow Police Department officers responded to the restaurant at about 9:30 that night in response to a call of a man assaulting employees with a hammer.
When officers arrived Kelly was already being restrained by employees, according to a police citation. Kelly had entered through the rear of the restaurant while staff were cleaning and began attempting to assault workers, the citation stated. Several employees sustained visible injuries during the altercation, though none were described as serious.
Workers used what was available, including a broom, to defend themselves and were able to hold Kelly on the ground until officers arrived.
As the situation unfolded, an unnamed woman nearby flagged down police and reported that Kelly had taken a hammer from her vehicle. She told officers he approached her car, searched for cigarettes, and repeatedly asked if she had a gun before taking the tool.
Kelly showed signs consistent with substance use, the citation stated, including profuse sweating, rapid eye movement and dilated pupils. He was transported to T.J. Samson Community Hospital for medical clearance before being lodged in the Barren County Detention Center.
Even after being taken into custody, the situation remained unsettled. According to the citation, Kelly pulled out one of his own teeth while at the hospital and later attempted to remove another.
Kelley was indicted on three counts of second-degree assault — a Class C felony — theft by unlawful taking under $500 for the hammer theft, and public intoxication. The last two charges are both misdemeanors. The grand jury handed down the true bill on April 15.
He has a $25,000 cash bond, and can have no contact with the alleged victims.
An indictment is an accusation only and a person is considered innocent until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Key Facts:
• Barren County grand jury indicts Russell Springs man on three counts of second-degree assault
• Incident happened March 21 at Papa John’s on Happy Valley Road in Glasgow
• Police say employees used items like a broom to subdue alleged hammer-wielding attacker
• 24-year-old Aaron James Kelly also charged with theft by unlawful taking under $500 and public intoxication
• Several workers reported visible but not serious injuries, according to police
• Cash bond set at $25,000 with no contact allowed with alleged victims
Gage Wilson with Glasgow News 1 contributed to the initial reporting.
