Lisa Marchesoni
Posted: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 5:16 pm

Charges are pending against a boyfriend accused of kidnapping and assaulting his girlfriend during an argument about their children’s welfare Monday, Murfreesboro Police reported.

Victim Ebonni Griffin, 18, of Gallahad Drive suffered a swollen and bruised cheek and a deep fingernail scratch on her throat, Officer Jason Parker reported.

Another woman was threatened by her boyfriend with a gun later Monday night, a sheriff’s corporal reported.

Witnesses notified police after the boyfriend abducted Griffin from Berry Place off Middle Tennessee Boulevard. One woman told Parker she was keeping Griffin’s children while she went to a church revival.

While Griffin was at the friend’s home, her boyfriend came inside, grabbed her and forced her outside. Two men told Parker the boyfriend shoved Griffin’s head into the side of the vehicle.

The two men tried to intervene but the boyfriend pulled out a black handgun and threatened to shoot them, Parker reported. They backed away.

Griffin’s mother arrived and told Parker her daughter was located at the intersection of Sevier and University streets. Parker found her with the injuries.

Parker obtained warrants charging the boyfriend who has not been located.

In an unrelated case, sheriff’s Cpl. Tyler Morten reported victim Ashley Riley went to her ex-boyfriend’s home Monday night to retrieve some property. His sister became angry and accused Riley of sleeping with another man.

She told Morten her ex-boyfriend attacked her, punching her in the head and cursing her. She tried to protect herself. He left the room, then returned with a kitchen knife and threatened to kill her, cut her in pieces and dispose of her remains in Cannon County.

When she asked to leave, he got mad, grabbed her hair and dragged her across the room. She stayed until early Tuesday when her boyfriend’s father told her to leave.

Earlier in the evening, the father and son got into an argument about Riley staying at the home. The father left.

“Riley had bruises on both forearms, a small knot on her forehead and bruises on both legs below the knees,” Morten reported.

Detective Jim Tramel is investigating.