A pregnant Ironton woman being held in the Lawrence County Jail on a murder charge is facing new charges today after she allegedly tried to choke a jail matron this morning.

Lawrence County Sheriff Jeff Lawless said he does not have a firm reason as to why Ashley Seagraves, 23, of 214 ½ Pearl St., assaulted the matron, but suspects drugs may have something to do with it.

“She’s de-toxing from drugs and has some emotional issues with the drug withdrawl,” Lawless said. “This was out of the blue. But she seems to not be rational right now.” Lawless said Seagraves has admitted to his staff she has been abusing oxycontin.

Lawless said the matron, whom he declined to name, was not injured in the incident.

Lawless said the matron had gone into the cell where Seagraves is being held to conduct jail business and Seagraves grabbed the matron and tried to choke her. Other corrections officers came to the matron’s rescue. Seagraves, who is seven months pregnant, was arrested Sunday and charged with murder in the shooting death of Delmar Jenkins, 53, of Mullinsville.

 

For a complete story on this matter, please see the Thursday edition of The Tribune