Intoxicated Defendant Convicted of Pointing Handgun at Wife and Friend

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the Domestic Violence Unit obtained  convictions against an intoxicated man who pointed a handgun at his wife and her friend.  Andrew Eugene Graybeal, 52, was convicted of Aggravated Assault, Attempted Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm while Intoxicated.  Senior Judge D. Kelly Thomas set the case for sentencing on June 18 where Graybeal faces a sentence of three to ten years.

In a two-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys Amelia Hamilton and Joe Welker explained to the jury that on March 22, 2024, officers responded to a residence on Willow Path Lane after receiving multiple 911 calls.  Once on scene, Ofc. Jacob Martin with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office observed two females in the driveway, one taking cover behind a vehicle crying, and the other waiving officers down.  The women told officers that Graybeal was inside the house armed with a handgun.  Graybeal came to the front door but refused several commands to turn around and put his hands on the wall so officers could pat him down.  Graybeal was handcuffed, and officers could see that he was very intoxicated.  Speaking to the female victims, officers learned that Graybeal’s wife and her friend were in an upstairs room of the home when Graybeal started screaming at them.  Graybeal, who had been drinking and using Ambien, came upstairs, entered the room, and pointed a handgun at his wife and her friend.  Graybeal was on the phone with 911 and stated an intruder was in his home.  The wife responded that she was not an intruder.  Graybeal pointed the handgun at both women and stated they needed to leave the house.  The women were able to run outside to the driveway where they called 911.

“Luckily, the quick response by law enforcement ensured that no one was injured in this volatile situation,” said DA Allen.

Aggravated Assault is a Class C felony that carries a punishment from three to six years.  Attempted Aggravated Assault is a Class D felony, carrying a punishment from two to four years.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Cindy Vanosdale and Legal Secretary Mary Loveless aided in the prosecution of this case.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.