Jackson man accused of locking woman in cabinet pleads not guilty

A Jackson man entered a plea of not guilty in Cape Girardeau County circuit court Monday to allegations that he assaulted his girlfriend with kitchen knives and kept her from alerting authorities by locking her in a cabinet and taping her mouth shut.

The assault allegedly occurred May 16 at the victim's apartment in Cape Girardeau. Robert E. Simmons, 31, is charged with second-degree domestic assault, unlawful use of a weapon and felonious restraint.

At a June 7 preliminary hearing, the victim alleged Simmons struck her in the face, the back of the head and pushed her against a wall. She told the court Simmons held her against the wall and stuck kitchen knives into the wall, one on each side of her head. Police arrested Simmons after being dispatched to the location twice. The first time, the woman alleges, Simmons had her locked in a kitchen cabinet and she was too scared to make a sound because he'd allegedly threatened to hurt her family.

In a statement made to police after his arrest, Simmons said when he arrived at the woman's home she was angry and attacked him with a knife. He pushed her against the wall to keep her from stabbing him, he told authorities.

As a prior offender in Cape Girardeau County, Simmons spent 30 days in jail last year for driving while intoxicated. In 2000, Simmons was sentenced in Cape Girardeau County to serve three years for manufacturing an imitation controlled substance.

He'll appear before a judge again July 5. Jack Koester, Cape Girardeau County assistant prosecuting attorney, said a trial date will likely be set at that time.

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau, MO