Jefferson City man arrested on assault and strangulation charges

A Jefferson City man was arrested Oct. 29 in connection with an alleged assault and strangulation.

Court documents show the Jefferson City Police Department (JCPD) was dispatched to the area of ​​West Atchison and Broadway streets in reference to a reported assault on Tuesday.

Police noted that while on the way to the scene, they received two separate reports of an adult male assaulting an adult victim.

The victim alleged that Toriano A. Leavell of Jefferson City struck her in the face with an open hand, knocked her to the ground, and then choked her for approximately 15 seconds.

According to the probable cause statement, Leavell stated that he intended to kill the victim.

The police noticed marks, bruises and swelling consistent with the victim’s testimony.

Two independent witnesses told JCPD that after the man knocked the victim to the ground, he allegedly raised a metal bar as if he was going to hit the victim in the head. They then stated that a juvenile from the area stepped in and took the metal bar from Leavell.

Before the officers arrived at the scene, the suspect drove away in a burgundy vehicle, which the officers managed to locate.

JCPD reported that after Leavell was handcuffed and read his Miranda Rights, he allegedly stated, “Fuck these laws.”

Court documents show that as he spoke, there was a strong odor of alcohol coming from him and his speech was slurred.

Leavell was arrested and charged with unlawful use of a weapon, second-degree domestic assault and armed criminal action.

He was booked into the Cole County Jail without bail.