EDITOR’S NOTE: Some details of this story may be disturbing for some readers.

CABELL COUNTY, WV (WOWK) – A man facing numerous charges for allegedly assaulting a woman in her home and then allegedly running from and fighting officers in November has been indicted by a grand jury.

Documents from Cabell County Circuit Court say Richard Allen Hayden was indicted on charges of “kidnapping,” “strangulation,” “malicious assault,” two counts of “obstructing an officer,” two counts of “battery on a law enforcement officer,” “domestic battery,” “domestic assault,” and “fleeing by means other than the use of a vehicle from a law enforcement officer.”

According to criminal complaints from Cabell County Magistrate Court, Hayden was arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, in connection to incidents that happened earlier that day. Hayden is accused of assaulting the victim in her home and keeping her there for more than three hours, preventing her from leaving “under threats of death and injury.”

The complaints say Hayden allegedly threw the woman on a bed and pinned her down while threatening to kill her. According to the complaints, the woman tried to tell the suspect she could not breathe as he held his hands and forearm against her throat. He allegedly “continued to strangle her telling her he hoped she died,” according to the complaints.

Authorities say the suspect is accused of punching the victim, kicking her, and threatening to “skin her alive” while brandishing a hunting knife. Authorities say he then allegedly tried to break her wrists before throwing her to the floor and stomping on her legs.

The complaints state Hayden also allegedly punched her in the face and head with a closed fist and slapped her in the face with an open palm multiple times. Authorities say she had red marks on both her neck and her face.

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Following the alleged assault, officers confronted Hayden. They say he allegedly ignored the officers’ verbal commands, physically resisted arrest and then ran away on foot by attempting to jump a chain-link fence. Officers say he then allegedly continued to “physically fight” them, punching and kicking, as he was being arrested.

According to the complaints, officers did receive some minor injuries during the arrest and were treated and released at an area hospital.

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