Henry Daily Herald

McDONOUGH — Henry County Chief Magistrate Robert Godwin Wednesday morning ruled a man will face charges he beat up the mother of his infant daughter during an argument over money.

After hearing evidence during a preliminary hearing, Godwin ruled there was enough probable cause for the case against Correy Robinson to go to a grand jury. Robinson, 35, is charged with battery under the Family Violence Act and cruelty to children in the first degree in the Sept. 19 alleged incident involving Demetrea Mangham and the couple’s 1-month-old daughter.

Henry County police Detective Spangenberg testified Wednesday to the events leading to the alleged beating. Robinson opted to represent himself during the hearing. He is out on bond.

Spangenberg said the couple had driven to visit relatives in Griffin so Mangham, 36, could borrow money for Robinson to get to work the next day.

Instead, Mangham shared a few beers with her cousin before asking for the favor, he said. When the couple got ready to leave and Mangham asked about the loan, the cousin gave them food instead, which angered Robinson, said Spangenberg.

“She told us that he was upset and cursing her on the ride home,” he said. “He told her they didn’t need food, he needed money for gas to get to work.”

At some point during the drive, Mangham told police she pulled the steering wheel closer to the side of the road so she and the baby could get away from the angry Robinson.

“She told us he grabbed her neck,” said Spangenberg. “That started about three miles from their home. When they got close to the apartments where they live, he finally let her go.”

Mangham told police she ran across the complex to get someone to call 911 but Robinson followed her.

“She said he ran up behind her, grabbed her by the wig and slammed her into a window,” said Spangenberg. “The window cracked and the baby’s forehead was cut. He took the baby from her and was calling her names.”

At this point, Spangenberg said Mangham began defending herself, hitting and kicking Robinson.

“He then hit her in the eye,” said Spangenberg. “There was bruising and swelling.”

Robinson took the baby and left in the car. When police arrived, Mangham told them he probably went to Rockdale County where his mother lives. Police said Robinson had gone there and his mother, Cynthia Robinson, had taken the baby for treatment of the cut.

Spangenberg said Robinson’s account of events was similar to Mangham’s except that he denied choking her while he drove.

“He said he pinched her neck to keep her from hitting him while he drove,” said Spangenberg. “He also said she intentionally smacked herself into the window. He said she told him that white people were watching and that he was going to jail. He also denied punching her in the face and said he didn’t know how she got the black eye. He had no injuries so I determined he was the primary aggressor.”

Because he was representing himself as his own attorney, Robinson had the right to cross-examine Spangenberg. Instead of questioning the detective, Robinson denied choking Mangham.

“There’s no way I could have choked her and drove,” he said. “It’s impossible, we’d have had an accident.”

Robinson exercised his right to remain silent and didn’t make additional comments. Godwin bound over the case to a grand jury presentation and offered Robinson a bit of free legal advice.

“I strongly suggest you talk to an attorney,” he said.