A strangulation charge against Jay Randolph was amended Monday to a fourth-degree assault charge and dismissed with conditions in Henderson District Court.
Randolph—a community advocate who volunteers with his wife Kristie Randolph’s organization that fights domestic violence and advocates for domestic violence victims, the Chloe Randolph Organization—was charged in late May with first-degree strangulation in an incident that involved his son, Brecken Randolph.
The arrest came after Brecken Randolph reported to police an assault involving Jay Randolph on May 30.
A release from HPD in early June soon after the incident said that:
- Brecken Randoph said a verbal dispute turned physical when Jay Randolph pushed him against a window and placed both hands around his neck
- Brecken Randolph said Jay Randolph applied pressure on his neck with enough force that his breathing was impeded
- Brecken Randolph said Jay Randolph applied pressure for approximately 1 minute before letting go
- Brecken Randolph had marks on his neck that were reportedly from the incident
- An ambulance crew responded to the police station to examine Brecken Randolph. He did not require further medical treatment at the time.
But according to documents within the case file, Brecken Randolph changed his statement in a letter dated July 23 that was given to the officer who investigated the case, Jordan Donithan.
In the letter to Donithan, Brecken Randolph wrote that he wasn’t sure if he was shoved by Jay Randolph or if his injuries occurred after some frantic moments while trying to restrain a dog while he and Jay Randolph got into a verbal altercation.
More specifically, Brecken Randolph wrote that his father came into his room while he was trying to deal with his barking dog and asked, “What the hell was going on?”
As the arguing continued, the jumpy dog lunged toward the open door and Brecken Randolph attempted to pull the dog back, which led to his falling and the dog on top of him scratching and clawing as well as a bassinet on top of him—all the while Jay Randloph continued to yell at him.
“I was triggered,” Brecken Randolph wrote.
Later that afternoon, he went to the police station to report the incident.
In the letter, Brecken Randolph wrote, though, that he’s been troubled by “visions and a nightmare” of what really happened since the incident.
“This prompted me to clarify and correct my previous statement,” he wrote. “I may never have another conversation with Mr. Randolph, but I cannot leave a chain of events that way it currently is and not corrected.
“I was not made to or harassed into making this statement but felt it needed to be corrected,” he concluded his letter.
Jay Randolph’s initial charge of first-degree strangulation on Monday was amended to fourth-degree assault, a charge that will be dismissed in two years, according to court documents, if Jay Randolph meets the following conditions:
- No further violations of the law
- Completes an anger management assessment and follows recommendations
- Completes a drug and alcohol assessment and follows recommendations
- Provides a copy of both assessments within 30 days to the special commonwealth’s attorney who prosecuted the case, Fifth Judicial Circuit Commonwealth’s Attorney Zac Greenwell.
Local judicial officials recused themselves from the case. In addition to Greenwell who stood in for local prosecutors, Hopkins County District Judge Kim Gilliam presided over Monday’s court appearance.
Jay Randolph, meanwhile, was relieved the matter is finished.
“I’m glad he told the truth,” Jay Randolph said. “I’m glad it’s over with. I’m just happy that it’s done. I’m happy that I can get back to being me.”
Jay Randolph said he’s made arrangements to comply with the conditions set forth by the court, setting up the drug and alcohol assessment and the anger management assessment.
Despite his son’s letter that stated the pair may never speak again, Jay Randolph said they’ve spoken since Monday’s court appearance.
“He’s my son,” he said. “He’s always going to be my son. I’m always going to love him.”
