Clay County Man Arrested After Shooting at and Assaulting Woman

On the evening of April 25, 2025, Clay County Officer Sean Stout responded to a disturbance call at 1593 Fires Creek Road in Hayesville, following reports of gunshots and a woman screaming for help. Upon arriving, Officer Stout encountered William Vincent Cody, a 44-year-old resident of the address, who was nude, intoxicated, and initially uncooperative, refusing to speak with the officer. Investigator Steven Smith arrived shortly after to assist.

Cody eventually claimed that Jennifer Newton was inside the residence and that there were no issues. However, when officers insisted on seeing Newton, she emerged from the bedroom with visible injuries, including a bloodied face and signs of strangulation. Cody, now clothed, was arrested, and EMS was called to treat Newton, who reported that Cody had shot at and assaulted her.

Investigator Smith, aware of Cody’s status as a convicted felon with a pending charge for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, obtained a search warrant for the residence. During the search, a 40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, depleted of ammunition, was found on the bedroom floor alongside expended cartridge casings. A cluster of 14 bullet holes was discovered in the bedroom wall, near where Newton said she was standing during the shooting. Drug paraphernalia and suspected marijuana were also seized.

Cody faces multiple charges, including Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Assault by Strangulation, Assault by Pointing a Gun, felony Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, First Degree Kidnapping, and Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury.