Samurai sword, meat cleaver used in domestic spats

A meat cleaver and a samurai sword figured into two domestic violence arrests over the weekend.

Deputies say the sword was used by John Vassilakos as he argued with his girlfriend Friday at their home on the 9300 block of Mississippi Run.

Vassilakos reportedly held unsheathed the sword, held it to the victim's neck and said, "I'm gonna (sic) make your kids orphans."

Vassilakos then slammed the woman against the wall while she was holding her 11-month-old baby and began to strangle her, according to a report. As the victim made her escape outside and yelled for help, Vassilakos tackled her in the bushes, a report states.

Vassilakos, 32, was arrested on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, domestic battery by strangulation, domestic battery, harassing a witness and child neglect.

On Sunday, an argument between father and son turned violent when the father, Sonny Eastham, began slapping the victim in the face, a report states. Eastham began quoting the Ten Commandments, telling the victim he should "honor thy father," according to a report.

Eastham then grabbed a meat cleaver and threatened to "hack him up" if the victim did not honor his father, a report states.

Eastham, 45, of the 6100 block of Faber Drive, denied the allegations when he spoke with a deputy; he was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault and domestic battery.