By Ray King
A $25,000 bond was set Wednesday for a Pine Bluff man, currently on parole, on a felony domestic battery allegation.
Jefferson County District Judge Kim Bridgforth set the bond for Jessie Matthews, 39, who was initially arrested Nov. 28 after police were sent to a reported domestic disturbance in the 6100 block of Parker Street in the Dollarway area.
Reading from a probable cause affidavit from Sgt. Michael Roberts, Deputy Prosecutor Jay Gerard said the female victim told police this was the first time that Matthews had struck her and officers reported the female had blood on her face and her right eye was black and swollen.
Two witnesses told police they had heard Matthews and the woman argue and saw her with blood on her face but did not see the altercation.
Roberts reported that he was notified Monday that the charge against Matthews would be a felony because Matthews had pleaded no contest to misdemeanor domestic battery in November 2020.
Court records showed that Matthews pleaded guilty to commercial burglary and theft of property in 2019 and was sentenced to prison. He also had a prior conviction in 2007 for robbery.
The Public Defender’s Office was appointed to represent Matthews who was ordered to have no contact with the victim until the case is settled.
