Independence man accused of assault, holding woman captive inside her apartment
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An Independence man is accused of keeping a woman hostage inside her apartment for days while he assaulted her, according to court records.
Jonathan M. Lawler, 35, is charged with domestic assault and kidnapping while inflicting injury or terrorizing, according to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office who filed the criminal charges on Feb. 23.
Officers responded just before 3 p.m. Feb. 21 to an apartment complex on a call for a domestic disturbance. According to court records, a neighbor told officers he overheard a woman yelling and asking for her phone. The neighbor also said he has heard other domestic disturbances at the residence.
Officers then heard a woman yelling from inside the apartment. They knocked on the door but no one answered. After hearing the woman yell again, officers forced their way into the apartment, and saw Lawler inside with the woman.
Lawler surrendered to police immediately. He had blood on his face from minor injuries, according to court records.
Woman says she was held hostage, beaten
The victim had blood on her face, a cut on her lip and chin, and multiple bruises on her face and arms, according to prosecutors.
The victim allegedly told officers Lawler held her captive for three to four days after entering the apartment through a front window. She told officers Lawler repeatedly beat her and would not allow her access to her phone or credit cards.
According to authorities, the victim told officers she left the apartment on Feb. 21, and Lawler followed her. When she asked for her credit cards and cell phone, Lawler allegedly dragged her back into the apartment, hit her in the throat and shoved the cards into her mouth, prosecutors alleged.
Lawler refused to speak with police in an interview room and was escorted back to a jail cell, according to court records.
Lawler is being held on a $30,000 bond. On Feb. 27, Lawler’s attorney filed a request for a bond reduction. A bond review hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. on March 4 in Jackson County Circuit Court.
