Authorities seek two suspects in beating at Craig Field

By Katie Nichols (Contact) | Selma Times-Journal

Published Thursday, July 17, 2008

James Anthony Cowan received dangerous visitors Saturday night.

Inspector Mike Granthum of the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department said six black males went to Cowan’s house on Circle Drive in Craig Field.

“They approached his house and started banging on the door,” Granthum said. “They started screaming profanities. When he didn’t come to the door, they kicked it in.”

Cowan, his girlfriend and her two small children occupied the house at the time of the attack.

The six men began to kick and hit Cowan, according to Granthum.

“They beat him unconscious and threw him through a glass window,” Granthum said. “His girlfriend begged them to stop. The girlfriend got in between them and they finally stopped.”

The girlfriend and children were not harmed in the attack.

Witnesses said three men left the house from the front and three left from the back.

The grilfriend ran across the street to get medical help for Cowan.

Witnesses identified four of the six suspects.

Sheriff’s officers arrested Courtney Coleman, 22, and charged him with burglary first degree and assault second degree Wednesday.

Officers booked Coleman into the Dallas County Jail under bonds totaling $30,000.

He remained in jail at press time.

Bryant Cole turned himself in Thursday afternoon. Officers charged him with burglary first degree and assault second degree.

He remains in the Dallas County Jail under bonds totaling $30,000.

Two other identified suspects are still at large.

Officers believe Joe Nicholas Smith, 75 Third Avenue Sardis, and Dedric Deshaun Smith, 77 Third Ave. Sardis, were involved in the attack on Cowan. Warrants have been issued for their arrests.

“More arrests will be forth coming,” Granthum said. “We know some live in the Craig Field area and some live in Sardis.”

Cowan suffered swelling to the back of his head, both of his eyes are swollen shut, and lost consciousness several times. He received stitches to the head and staples his arms.

“The house looked like a murder scene,” Granthum said. “There were holes in the wall, blood splatter everywhere and pools of blood.”