Sparks fly, along with furniture, during altercation

An apparent cousin feud that featured thrown furniture, biting and a Taser being deployed arose out of a dispatch for a domestic assault according to a Newport Police Department (NPD) incident report. NPD Officer Dallas Cotter reports that he was dispatched Nov. 16 to 361 Driskill Circle regarding a man on scene attempting to break a window of the residence where children were involved.

Upon his arrival he saw a shirtless man, later identified as James E. Sparks, 32, and the cousin of the complainant, William Webber, running behind the housing units. Cotter reports while chasing Sparks throughout the complex, Sparks was ordered to stop on several occasions but refused.



A Taser strike was attempted but was unsuccessful. Sparks was ordered at gunpoint to get on the ground, but failed to comply and walked toward Cotter with his hands up. While holding his duty weapon in one hand, Cotter used his other hand to shove Sparks to the ground and place Sparks in hand restraints.

Webber stated he had arrived at the residence to give medication to the resident, Norma Sutton, for Webber’s children. While at his vehicle in front of the residence, Webber said Sparks began to strike him in the back of the head and they began to fight. Sutton attempted to break up the fight by hitting Sparks in the back of the head.

Per the report, once the parties were separated, Sparks began grabbing furniture from the front porch and striking the windows of the housing unit. At that point Webber called 911. Cotter reports Webber had visible signs of the altercation on his head.

He appeared to have abrasions to the left side of his head, swelling to the top and back of his head and a small open wound to his ring finger that Webber said was from Sparks biting him. EMS cleared all parties from the scene. Webber indicated he wanted to press charges.

Sparks was transported to the Cocke County Jail. After being read his Miranda Rights, Sparks said he did not know it was the police who were chasing him until he saw the laser light from Cotter’s Taser. Cotter informed Sparks he had been advised multiple times to stop and comply with commands and the Taser was deployed about 50 yards prior to where he was apprehended and he further advised the circumstances that lead to force being applied to effect the arrest.

Sparks was charged with domestic assault and resisting arrest. The Cocke County Sheriff’s Office advised Sparks’ bond was set at $10,000..