Purcell man pleads not guilty to assaulting girlfriend, pointing stolen gun at her

Christopher Thompson, 32, Purcell, pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Jasper County Circuit Court on an assault charge.

Judge Joseph Hensley denied Thompson's motion for a reduction in his $10,000 bond.

Thompson hit his girlfriend, a Webb City woman, in the face and pulled her by the hair, broke her cell phone and told her she could not leave his property, according to the probable cause statement.

(He) took her outside and threatened to shoot her, pointed a 9 mm (weapon0 at her, then shot the gun in the opposite direction from her and then pulled her back inside. The gun turned out to be stolen from Joplin.

The affidavit notes that the woman had "marks on her face, neck, and arms."

Thompson's next hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 19.