One Man Seriously Wounded in Sunday Assault-Two Men Charged in the Case

A Holmes Creek Road man was seriously wounded in an assault Sunday and the two men accused of attacking the victim have been arrested.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says upon arrival at the scene on Holmes Creek Road, officers found the victim, 29 year old Billy Joe Madden bleeding from wounds on his head and his neck. After an investigation by deputies,, 43 year old Walter Hartman of Man Hill Road, Dowelltown and 24 year old Johnny Lynn DeVault of Talpha Drive, Dowelltown were arrested.
Sheriff Ray says it is alleged that Madden was at home and was attacked on the outside of his residence by Hartman and DeVault. Hartman allegedly held a knife to Madden’s throat and told Madden if he moved, he (Hartman) would cut his throat. As Hartman held Madden, DeVault allegedly struck Madden on the head with a tire iron causing Madden to suffer bodily injury.
After the attack, DeVault and Hartman fled the scene and Madden went into his residence, awoke family members who were asleep in the residence at the time, and told them to call for help. Madden was transported to Vanderbilt Hospital by air ambulance. Hartman and DeVault were arrested a short time later.
Hartman was charged with Especially Aggravated Kidnapping and DeVault was charged with Aggravated Assault. Bond for both was set at $50,000 each and both are scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court on December 20th.
Meanwhile, 44 year old Bruce Graustein of Statesville Road, Watertown was arrested on Tuesday, November 27th for theft of property over $1,000
Sheriff Patrick Ray says a theft was reported last Tuesday from a Walker Creek residence. Someone had entered a building and stolen numerous shop tools, including, an air compressor, chainsaw, and other hand tools.
Later that day, the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department received a tip where Graustein lived and found that he had possession of the tools and was painting the stolen tools in an attempt to disguise their identity. Local officials contacted the Wilson County Sheriff’s Department and deputies there found Graustein and the stolen tools.
Through an investigation, DeKalb County Detectives learned that Graustein had worked on the victim’s home at Walker Creek a few weeks ago and had knowledge that the victim would be out of town.
Graustein’s bond was set at $10,000 and his court date is December 6th.