Sessions Court candidate's daughter charged with assault

photo Christina Starnes

The 23-year-old daughter of a local Sessions Court judge candidate was arrested Monday after her estranged husband told police she keyed his truck and assaulted him during an argument.

Christina Starnes, daughter of Gary Starnes, has been charged with domestic assault after a confrontation with Charles Evans in Soddy-Daisy. The couple is in the middle of a divorce, according to the Starnes family.

"As a parent, I am devastated by the hardships that my adult daughter, Christina, is facing in a divorce," Starnes said in a statement. "As all parents, my wife Carol, and I want all of our children to be free of problems. However, no one is immune from problems, and we have the same challenges of any other family and parents. We dearly love our family, and are proud of all three of our adult children."

Gary Starnes is a candidate in the Aug. 2 election for the judgeship that David Norton currently holds as an interim since the death of Judge Bob Moon in January.

Evans told police the two had been arguing all day, according to an arrest report. When both were at the home later Monday afternoon, the report claims Christina Starnes keyed the driver's side door and threw Coca-Cola on Evans' truck.

Christina Starnes tried to leave in her car, Evans told police, but he grabbed her keys to stop her. Evans and another witness said Christina Starnes then began hitting her husband on the face, the report states.

She stated that Evans grabbed her by the wrist and head when he took her keys, the report states.

Christina Starnes' next court date is on July 23 before Norton.

Staff writer Kate Harrison contributed to this story.

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