| On November 29, 2016, just after midnight, Kingsport Police Patrol Officers were called to the 400 block of Mullins Street in Kingsport in reference to a domestic violence incident that had occurred over the past couple of days involving a 19 year old female victim (name not released) and a 23 year old male suspect, identified as James H. Winston.
The victim reported returning home from work on November 27. She said an argument ensued which ultimately led to Mr. Winston shoving her backward into a bedroom door. He then grabbed her by the throat, held her against the wall with one hand, and struck her several times in the head with his other hand.
She fell face first to the floor. While on the floor, Mr. Winston struck her in the back of the head. The victim reported that she began crawling toward the front door to escape, but he put her in a choke hold, cut off her breathing, and dragged her back into the bedroom.
She said he continued to assault her, but eventually shoved her into a corner, ordered her to stay there, and refused to let her leave. He took her phone and keys and said that he “needed to spend some quality time with the cat.”
She said that on November 28, 2016 he began striking the cat, causing it to wail. He ordered her to come into the kitchen and threatened to kill the cat. She said that he grabbed the cat by the neck, shook it, and began beating it against the kitchen counter and floor repeatedly until it was bleeding from the mouth and had defecated on itself.
The victim said that Mr. Winston then asked her if she loved him and would be with him forever. She replied, “yes” out of fear, but he told her that he didn’t believe her and continued to beat the cat.
She was eventually able to get to her phone and send a text message to some friends asking for help. As soon as her friends arrived, she grabbed the cat and ran to their car. Seeing her leave, Mr. Winston got in his car and fled prior to police arrival.
The victim suffered a black eye, as well as bruises to her arms, shoulders, and neck. The cat was rushed to the Airport Emergency Veterinary Clinic where it was diagnosed with severe head trauma and a broken jaw and kept overnight for treatment.
Mr. Winston is currently at large and wanted on three violent felony charges including Aggravated Domestic Assault, Aggravated Kidnapping, and Felony Animal Cruelty. He was last seen in a white 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt bearing Tennessee registration, Y4985N. He is a 23 year old white male adult. He stands 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs 190 pounds. He has brown hair and blue eyes.
A photograph of Mr. Winston is included in this release. Anyone who knows his current whereabouts is asked to contact Kingsport Central Dispatch at 423-246-9111.
Alternatively, if an individual who is able to supply information related to this or any other case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:
https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us |
