FRANKLIN
A Franklin woman is in custody after being arrested on charges that include attempted murder, malicious wounding and abduction.

Capt. Tim Whitt, spokesman for the city’s police force, reported that a domestic incident took place in 300 block of South High Street on Tuesday.

Officers responded to a call that morning from James Beale III. The 62-year-old Franklin man said he had been attacked in his home for hours by Diana Lynn Westmoreland, 48, with whom he lived.

Beale said he was assaulted and got a laceration to his head.

“He also alleged that Westmoreland attempted to smother him with a pillow while he was restrained to the bed. After Westmoreland left the room, Beale was able to free himself and crawl out of the second-floor window, where he dropped to the ground, breaking both of his legs,” Whitt said.

After escaping, Beale managed to crawl to his vehicle and drive to a home on Laurel Street where he called 911.

Motive has not yet been established, Whitt added.

Westmoreland reportedly fled the residence but later turned herself in at the Franklin police, where she was formally charged. Other charges were grand larceny, and assault and battery of a household or family member.

The suspect was remanded to Western Tidewater Regional Jail without bond.