NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A controversial witness in the Perry March murder trial has been arrested and charged with beating his girlfriend.

SPECIAL SECTION: March Murder Trial

Nathaniel Farris was taken into custody Friday morning at the Nashville Criminal Justice Center.

He was arrested at his mother’s home in east Nashville.

Farris faces aggravated assault charges with a deadly weapon against his girlfriend. Channel 4 learned on Tuesday that Farris had been taking Xanax and drinking at his girlfriend, Kimberly Odell's, apartment in south Nashville.

He was became angry while under the influence of the drugs and alcohol and got into an argument with his Odell, according to authorities.

Police said Farris took her by the throat, slammed her up against a wall and hit her in the face.

The woman then grabbed a kitchen knife to protect herself, but Farris took it away and threatened to kill her if she called police, according to authorities.

Odell was able to drive herself to Southern Hills Hospital on Nolensville Road where she was treated for bruises to her legs and shoulders, scratches to her face and a sprained ankle.

According to court administrator Larry Stevenson, Farris then notified his probation officer and said there was a situation he was uncomfortable with. The probation officer then went and got him.

Farris never violated electronic monitoring and the court system knew where he was at all times.

He has been under an electronic monitoring program since his release from jail.

Farris’ bond has been set at $10,000.

Farris had testified in the trials of March, a former Nashville attorney who was convicted in the murder of wife Janet Levine March, 10 years after her disappearance. Her body has never been found.

Perry March also was convicted of conspiring to kill his former in-laws, Lawrence and Carolyn Levine. Prosecutors used as evidence taped conversations of Farris and March discussing the murder plan.

Conspiracy charges against Farris were dropped after he cooperated with prosecutors.

Stay with Channel 4 News at 5 p.m. for more on this developing story.