He was willing to trade a life for a truck. A man with a history of domestic violence charges is behind bars tonight after police say he tried to kill his girlfriend. Investigators say he attacked the woman because she wouldn't give in to his demands.
47 year old Vincent Williams of Northwest Gainesville and the victim have been living together in Gainesville for three years. According to police, an argument started around Midnight Wednesday morning that nearly turned deadly.
Gainesville Police Corporal Tscharna Senn said, "He became enraged." And police say was threatening to kill his girlfriend for ownership of a couple of trucks. She said, "Her live in boyfriend wanted her to sign over the title to two vehicles which she was the owner on...she did not want to sign over that title."
The attack happened at 6 AM in the upstairs apartment that the couple shared, neighbors say they didn't hear anything. Senn said, "Punched her in the face, got on top of her and strangled her to the point that she lost consciousness several times."
The victim tried to call 911 during the attack, but Williams took the phone from her continuing to beat, strangle and threaten her. Demanding the Peterbilt trucks, similar to the ones on your screen, be signed over. Senn said, "She told us that she thought she was going to die...she lost consciousness, she couldn't breathe."
The victim eventually signed the papers, transferring ownership to Williams. A short time later he left the apartment and the victim called police.
Police later arrested Williams in Gainesville. Senn said, "She had visible signs that she had been beaten up and strangled...just a very very violent case of you know domestic violence, where fortunately she was able to come out of this and will eventually recover."
Williams was charged with aggravated assault and domestic battery in January 2010, but the victim was unwilling to come forward. Now he's charged with four felonies, including: attempted murder, false imprisonment and extortion.
Legally, the trucks still belong to the victim.