Man Accused of Beating Girlfriend Makes 242 Jail Calls to Silence Her, Bail Increased

242 Calls From Jail Spark Bail Hike

A 25-year-old Darby man accused of assaulting his girlfriend in April was ordered to pay $20,000 in bail after prosecutors revealed he contacted the victim 242 times from jail, violating a court order. Khabir K. Smith, of the 900 block of Lawrence Avenue, faces charges including simple assault, attempted kidnapping, and unlawful restraint following an incident at an Exxon station in East Lansdowne on April 8, according to East Lansdowne Police Department records and court documents.

Assault Unfolds at Exxon Station

Police responded to the Exxon station at 1001 Baltimore Ave. around 9:45 a.m. after a woman reported being assaulted by her boyfriend, Smith. Surveillance footage reviewed by officers showed the victim, who was at the checkout counter, being struck multiple times by Smith upon his entry into the store. She fled the premises but was again attacked and dragged across the parking lot before being forced into Smith’s vehicle, according to the East Lansdowne police report. The victim managed to escape and sought refuge in a stranger’s car, only to be pulled back into Smith’s vehicle, though the timeline of events remains unclear.

Second Arrest Over Firearm Theft

Smith was initially held without bail after being charged with the assault, but his bond was later reduced to 10% of $10,000, allowing him to post $1,000 cash on April 17. However, his release was short-lived. On July 24, Darby police and the Delaware County Region 1 Emergency Response Team arrested him again following a warrant related to firearm violations, including theft of a firearm from a motor vehicle. Smith was wanted for a July 19 theft of a firearm in the 100 Block of North Sixth Street, according to a police social media post.

DA Cites ‘Egregious’ Violations, Defense Disputes

Prosecutors revealed that Smith’s repeated calls to the victim from jail—242 in total—were a critical factor in the court’s decision to increase his bail in the original assault case. Assistant District Attorney Amy Cappelli argued that the calls, which occurred on a recorded jail line, constituted a “egregious” violation of a court order prohibiting contact. Cappelli cited a specific call in which Smith allegedly warned the victim not to testify in court and instructed her to collect debts from others, stating, “if he hits the streets and people still owe him, ‘they’re going to find out what he’s about.’” The defense, led by attorney Jason Price, acknowledged the calls but argued that Smith had ceased contacting the victim after being advised to stop.

Judge Raises Bail to $20,000, Enforces No-Contact Order

Judge Mary Alice Brennan of Delaware County Common Pleas Court raised Smith’s bail in the assault case to 10% of $100,000, requiring a minimum of $20,000 for release. The court also reiterated that Smith must have no contact with the victim, directly or through intermediaries. Smith remains in custody pending further proceedings. The case highlights the legal consequences of violating court orders and the challenges of enforcing restraining measures in domestic violence cases.

Photo: delcotimes.com