Police: Cape Girardeau man returned to scene of domestic assault after hospital release

A Cape Girardeau man injured in a domestic dispute Thursday night returned to the scene for a rematch with his victim after being released from a hospital, according to police reports.

Sola Depree Jr., 48, was charged Friday with two counts of felony domestic assault connected to two incidents Thursday evening at his home on South Louisiana Avenue.

Cape Girardeau police first responded to Depree's home at 8:45 p.m. after Depree allegedly hit a woman in the face with his fist. The victim had cut Depree with a knife in self-defense, according to police reports. He was transported by ambulance to Southeast Missouri Hospital.

The hospital was told to notify police headquarters before Depree's release but did not, police said.

At 10:45 p.m. Depree returned to the home and began removing items, including a television from the house. When the victim tried to stop him, Depree allegedly hit her in the face and body-slammed her to the ground, resulting in additional injuries. He was arrested when officers were called back to the scene.

A Southeast Missouri Hospital spokeswoman said she could not comment on Depree's release due to patient privacy laws.