Burnell J. ReedMap
Hamilton Inn
A 49-year-old man kept his girlfriend locked in a motel room for several days and assaulted her until she was found by police on Sunday after she managed to briefly call 911, according to police records.
The ordeal is detailed in the affidavit for Burnell Reed, who is charged with aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping and interference with emergency calls.
The woman told police that Reed punched her in the face several days ago - possibly Nov. 3 - then refused to let her leave the room at the Hamilton Inn on Lee Highway. The woman told police that Reed punched her, choked her until she passed out and took away the cord to the phone so she couldn't call for help.
On Sunday, the woman was able to escape from the room and ran out the door, according to the affidavit. But Reed chased her, grabbed her and pulled her back to the room, leaving bruises on her arms.
Later on Sunday, the woman was able to briefly call for help from the room phone - apparently the cord had been replaced - but was only able to give dispatchers the address of the motel before the connection was cut, according to the affidavit.
When police arrived, they found the woman in the room and noted her injuries were consistent with her claims. Also, police discovered that the motel room door was equipped with a deadbolt lock that required a key to open both from the inside and outside, according to the affidavit.
The lock was not installed by the motel's management and the motel's master key could not open the modified deadbolt, according to police.
The woman told police Reed kept the key on him and although he did fall asleep at times, she was too scared to go through his clothing and look for the key to the door.
Reed's next court appearance is set for Nov. 17 in Hamilton County Sessions Court.
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