Police: Child got knife for father during assault (Austin, Texas)

It's not clear whether the "girlfriend" in this account is also the mother or not. It is clear, however, that dad RICHARD MORRIS FRANKLIN POWELL asked "his child," a little boy, to fetch him a kitchen knife while he was choking his girlfriend. After the child brought the knife to the father, the father told the child to go to the living room to watch TV. Dad has been arrested on aggravated assault charges. If the girlfriend is not the mother, then why does this piece of sh** for a father have visitation/custody?

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/blotter/entries/2009/12/24/child_gets_knife_for_father_du.html?cxntfid=blogs_the_blotter

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Police report says child got knife for father during assault
By Samantha Stiles Thursday, December 24, 2009, 08:59 PM

Richard Morris Franklin Powell, 26, is accused of choking his girlfriend before threatening her with a knife in a South Austin apartment.

Powell asked his son to fetch him the three- to four-inch kitchen knife and then told the child to go back to the living room and watch TV, according to an arrest affidavit from the Austin Police Department. The child’s age is not listed in the affidavit.

Powell was booked into the Travis County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

The fight between Powell and his girlfriend Tuesday morning escalated during a conversation about their relationship, according to the police report. The victim told police that Powell put his hand around her neck while she was lying on a bed.

Powell then asked his son to get him a knife, the affidavit said. Powell held the knife over her and said, “I could kill you right now,” causing her to fear for her life, according to the affidavit.

When Powell went outside to smoke a cigarette, the victim dialed 911 and ran to a friend’s apartment nearby.

According to the police report, Powell’s explanation of the assault was “evasive” and he said there was never a knife involved in their “tussle.” The affidavit said she had visible scratches and marks on her neck.