Three men have been charged in connection to the kidnapping and assault of a man in Branson earlier this month.
On Tuesday, October 6, Ricky Lee Smith, 34, of Branson invited the victim to his residence, a hotel in Branson, with the intent to inflict serious physical injury on the victim, according to the online probable cause statement filed by the Branson Police Department.
After the victim arrived at Smith’s residence, Smith invited Geoffrey Watson, 43, of Hollister and Thomas Darnell, 44, of Reeds Spring inside. Once Watson and Darnell had both entered the residence, Smith locked and stood in front of the door to prevent anyone from leaving. Watson and Darnell then began assaulting the victim with the intent to cause serious physical injury or death. Darnell began to repeatedly punch the victim in the face and grabbed him by the throat causing him to have difficulty breathing and nearly black out, according to the statement.
Darnell then held the victim as Waston began to punch, kick and knee him Darnell then placed the victim in what the victim described as a rear naked choke and squeezed until he nearly passed out. During this time, Smith remained watching and refused to allow the victim to leave the residence. Eventually the victim was able to crawl to the door, push Smith out of the way and escape the room, according to the statement.
After making his escape, the victim made his way to the emergency room where he was treated for a suspected broken jaw, lacerations to the face, eye, and lip, and potential broken and bruised ribs. The victim told Branson Police he believed the three men were attempting to kill him, and believed he sustained other internal injuries, according to the statement.
Smith, Darnell and Watson have all been charged with Felony 1st Degree Kidnapping, Facilitating A Felony, Inflicting Injury and Terrorizing; while Darnell and Watson have each additionally been charged with Felony 1st Degree Assault, according to online court documents.
Smith and Watson both have bond reduction hearings set for Monday, November 2. Darnell posted a $100,000 surety bond and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Tuesday, December 15, according to the online court documents.
