Smyrna man arrested after beating that left another disfigured

In what can best be described as a barbaric attack by one human being on another, Smyrna resident James Bernard Ray faces multiple felony charges for beating a man with his fists and a pistol following a minor car wreck where the victim asked for Ray’s Insurance information. Smyrna resident James Ray faces multiple charges, including felony assault after the attack. 

According to Cobb County Police, the incident occurred on Oct. 9, around 2:30 a.m., when 49-year-old Ray backed his vehicle into that of a parked vehicle on Lincoln Trace Circle, near Truist Park. The owner of the hit vehicle approached Ray and asked for his insurance information. Instead of his insurance card, Ray offered $300 in cash to cover the damage. The man refused the cash offer and asked Ray again for his insurance information. Per the arrest warrant, Ray “became irate with said victim and started punching the victim in the face. Upon falling to the ground, Ray climbed on top of the victim and continued the beating of the victim’s face, but this time with a handgun. At one point, the reports say Ray pointed the gun at the victim and asked if he “still needed his insurance.” Left injured, the victim’s face was seriously disfigured by the attack. Ray fled the scene following the beating.

Ray was arrested by Police at his home on Thursday, Oct. 21. When Police arrived at his address, they found Ray’s damaged vehicle sitting outside and a bloody handprint on the driver’s side door. 

Police say Ray’s felony charges include aggravated assault with a weapon and aggravated battery disfigurement. On a separate warrant, Ray was charged with theft by receiving for a stolen firearm they found at his home. While searching his residence after his arrest, Police found a 38-calibre revolver hidden in a laundry basket. In addition to the felony charges Ray faces, he was charged with misdemeanor hit-and-run. 

Per Police records, Ray was released from jail after posting a $30,000 bond.