BRIGHTFUL

FRENCH CREEK — An Upshur County man faces multiple charges after allegedly physically assaulting two women and resisting arrest by the Sheriff’s Office and State Police.

David Eugene Brightful, 45, is charged with two counts of domestic battery third offense, a felony. He is also charged with one count of obstructing an officer and one count of battery on a law enforcement officer, both misdemeanors. Brightful is being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $10,000 property/surety bond.

According to the criminal complaint, filed by Trooper C.J. Elmore with the West Virginia State Police, on April 19, Trooper C.C. Jones, Elmore and Deputy D.K. Frazier with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in French Creek for a “reported disturbance.”

Upon arrival, Elmore spoke with the alleged victim, who appeared to be agitated, but she stated that there was nothing going on, the complaint states. Elmore observed that the alleged victim’s shirt was ripped and there were marks around her neck. The alleged victim was asked to remain outside while Elmore spoke to Brightful. While Elmore tried to speak with Brightful, the alleged victim kept reentering the residence despite being asked to leave multiple times “for safety reasons.”

Brightful allegedly became agitated at Elmore and began yelling in Elmore’s face, the complaint states. Elmore attempted to calm Brightful by placing a hand on his chest and asking him to sit on a couch, but Brightful allegedly slapped Elmore’s hand before becoming compliant and sitting on the couch. Jones and Frazier were able to keep Brightful and the alleged victim separated.

Elmore spoke with the mother of the alleged victim who stated that, when the alleged victim and Brightful came home, Brightful fell down the stairs twice, the complaint states. She then told Elmore that a dog had come into the house and Brightful had allegedly picked up the dog and “acted like he was going to hurt it.” The mother said that she and the alleged victim told him to put the dog down and then Brightful reportedly pushed the alleged victim out of the residence. Brightful then allegedly grabbed hold of the mother. The alleged victim tried to get Brightful to let go of her mother, but when he did, Brightful reportedly hit the alleged victim. When the mother called 911, Brightful allegedly became upset and grabbed the mother again, throwing her down onto the residence’s deck.

Elmore attempted to speak with Brightful again, but Brightful got up from the couch and went into the kitchen, the complaint states. Brightful was allegedly told multiple times to stop “for safety concerns,” but he did not listen. Elmore, Jones and Frazier attempted to take Brightful into custody, however Brightful reportedly began resisting all three officers by pulling away when they tried to put him in hand restraints. He was eventually taken into custody.

Elmore writes that he and Frazier overheard the alleged victim say to her mother, “If he ever hurts us again, I’m going to kill him,” referring to Brightful. Elmore learned that Brightful has had a previous domestic battery charge from the Elkins City Police in 2021. Brightful also had a domestic battery second offense charge from the West Virginia State Police Buckhannon Detachment, which he was convicted of in 2024.