By Bill Grubb

ROGERSVILLE — The owner of the Final Lap bar has been charged in connection with an alleged stabbing incident involving a customer.

David Ray Miller, 60, 9945 Highway 11W, Mooresburg, was charged with aggravated assault Sunday morning. 
          
According to an offense report filed by Sgt. Chad Gillenwater, of the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 2:45 a.m Saturday he was dispatched to the bar in reference to a male subject being stabbed and another male armed with a handgun.

Gillenwater reportedly located Ray C. Burchett, Jr., 38, Mooresburg, in the bar parking lot with, what the deputy described, as a deep laceration to his left hand.

“Mr. Burchett stated that he was inside the bar at which time he observed the owner of the bar, identified as David Ray Miller, being somewhat aggressive with his girlfriend,” Gillenwater's report notes.

“Mr. Burchett states that he asked Mr. Miller to leave her alone, at which time a dispute took place between the two.

Burchett told authorities that Miller began pushing him and making threats to kill him. The injured man said during the scuffle Miller lost his balance and fell, at which time Burchett said he tried to help him to his feet.

“Miller then allegedly pulled a three to four inch pocket knife from his pocket and stabbed Burchett in the left hand, resulting in a deep laceration,” the report states.      

Burchett said he exited the bar to contact Hawkins County 911 and by the time officers arrived on the scene Miller couldn’t be located. He was arrested on the aggravated assault warrant at his home early Sunday morning.

Burchett was treated for the knife wound at Lakeway Regional Hospital.

Christina Wade Collins, 30, also of 9945 Highway 11W, Mooresburg, identified as Miller’s girlfriend, was arrested during the stabbing investigation Saturday on charges of public intoxication and resisting arrest.

Gillenwater stated in his report that she exited the bar while he was questioning Burchett.
    “I attempted to speak with Collins in reference to the location of Miller at which time she immediately became uncooperative,” the report states.

According to Gillenwater, Collins attempted to leave the scene “to find” Miller.  The deputy said when he instructed her to stop she “became verbally abusive toward officers and then began attempting to shove officers out of her way,” the report states.

Miller is scheduled to appear in Hawkins County Sessions Court on December 3, while Collins has a December 1 court date.