Monday, August 26, 2013
Disabled Resident Assaulted By Roommate
Law enforcement officials were summoned to investigate overnight Saturday when a disabled Summertown resident reported he had been assaulted by his roommate.
Miriam Ann Roberts, age 46, was arrested at her 185 Powerhouse Road home shortly before 1:00 a.m. Sunday.
The victim, a fifty-five year old man who has Multiple Sclerosis and is confined to a wheelchair, was on the front porch of the home when Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputies arrived on the scene. They report that he was visibly distraught.
The victim told deputies that he had been lying in his bed attempting to sleep when Roberts came into his bedroom and began to strike him repeatedly in the face, “For no reason.” He told deputies that because his was unable to defend himself he had placed a 911 call for help.
Reports noted that the victim had moved to the home at the request of Roberts and another resident so they could, “take care of him.”
The report points out that the women had been aware at the time that the victim had recently acquired several thousand dollars and that he had a prescription for the medication Percocet.
Deputies report finding Roberts hiding inside another bedroom of the home. They report that she was combative, had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage about her person, and that she exhibited signs of being intoxicated.
Roberts was incarcerated at the Lawrence County Detention Center on one count of domestic assault. She has been scheduled an initial appearance in Lawrence County General Sessions Court on October 15, 2013.
The victim reported that he had been “living in fear” of Roberts, “especially when she was intoxicated.” He said that he would have to stay at the residence for the time being, but would leave, “As soon as he could find someone to help him load his belongings and drive him back to Knoxville.”
