Major Crimes Detective David Catchings Jr.A Chattanooga Police Department detective arrested twice in the last four months appeared before a judge again Friday.
Major Crimes Detective David Catchings Jr. has been on leave and under internal affairs investigation since September, when he was charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving and violation of implied consent. He was arrested again on New Year's Day after his mother-in-law said he struck her in the face.
On Friday, Hamilton County General Sessions Court Judge Gary Starnes reset Catchings' hearing for Feb. 9.
Catchings' mother-in-law, Janet Ashford, told police Catchings hit her across the face with an open hand after she found him drunk on her couch around 3 a.m. and asked him to leave.
When she threatened to call police, Catchings allegedly told her, 'Go ahead, call the cops. They will believe me before you, because I'm a cop."
Catchings was charged with domestic assault. At a hearing Tuesday on that charge, he was booked into the Hamilton County Jail on $5,000 bond. Catchings made that bond and was in the courtroom Friday.
Starnes asked if he was still wearing an alcohol monitoring bracelet, and his attorney answered yes. Catchings also was asked to remain in the courtroom for 15 minutes after Ashford left.
He is expected to return to court Feb. 9.