Athens Man Marries, Attacks His Bride, Goes to Jail

The bride came to the Country Inn & Suites in her wedding dress. She left a few hours later for the hospital after her groom punched her, dragged her by her hair, pulled out her hair extensions and injured her wrist.

According to a story in the Athens Banner Herald, Erick Lamar Stevens, 25, and his new wife were in an altercation that ended early Monday morning. The hotel clerk called 911 after the bride came to the front desk with a bloody face.

Before coming to the Old Epps Bridge Parkway hotel, Stevens and his wife were at a reception. He became angry there, the story says, because a DJ was making advances on a bridesmaid, and then became enraged enough to punch his wife in the face as they were driving to the hotel. He accused her of two-timing him, and she made him get out of the car.

She was sleeping in a hotel room when a clerk called to let her know her husband had arrived, the story says. She allowed Stevens into the room, where he assaulted her until she escaped when someone came to investigate the disturbance.

The newspaper story says emergency personnel thought the woman's wrist was broken. Her nose was cut and her eye was also swollen.

Anyone in an abusive relationship can call Project Safe’s 24-hour hotline for advice and services at (706) 543-3331, or can visit the group's website.