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Celebrity Justice12/15/2011 1:00 AM PST BY TMZ STAFF
Country Star Rodney Atkins Arrested for Trying to Smother Wife with a Pillow

Rodney Atkins Mug shot
Country superstar Rodney Atkins was arrested last month in Tennessee for domestic assault after allegedly trying to smother his wife with a pillow -- but TMZ has learned Rodney has since filed for divorce, and insists his wife made up the whole thing. 

According to court docs filed in Williamson County, Rodney's wife Tammy Atkins called 911 at 7:47 AM on November 21 -- claiming the two had been arguing throughout the night in their home ... when Rodney turned violent.

Tammy told police Rodney tried to smother her with a pillow ... and later grabbed her by the face and threw her down the hallway.

According to cops, Tammy insisted the platinum-selling singer "had been drinking alcohol all night and was intoxicated."

What's worse -- Tammy claims the entire assault took place in front of the couple's 10-year-old son.

Rodney was hauled to a nearby jail -- where he was booked and released on $2,500 bail.

But Rodney says his wife is straight up lying -- and his lawyer is calling the incident nothing more than an "unfortunate verbal dispute."

In a statement released to TMZ ... Rodney's lawyer says, "When Mr. Atkins realized their child was in hearing range of the argument his first priority became getting out of the earshot of the child."

The statement continues, "Mr. Atkins realized he would have no recourse but to file a complaint for divorce. He has exercised substantial parenting time with the parties son and he will continue to do so while the divorce is pending."

"Mr. Atkins wants to thank his fans for standing by him as he is confident the truth will prevail."

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Reader Comments

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1.

Chicago Nick:  71 days ago

Roh Roh.....he'll be doing the Hollywood apology circuit we've all seen a billion times in this lifetime. You and me, we make one mistake and pay for it forever, these people fluckk up all the time, and go right back to making millions doing pretty much what we all do for hobbies. Yet they make millions and comparatively we make squat for jobs 1000 times more important. No, this country isn't upside down is it?

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2.

Ace:  71 days ago

Smothering is definitely the way to go. Guns and knives are messy and leave a lot of evidence for the forensic people.

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3.

Jackie:  71 days ago

Can you get rid of these Spam? Jeez.

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4.

MC:  70 days ago

Who?

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5.

FloridaGirl:  70 days ago

Looks like he was arrested, so I doubt she was lying. S***bag!

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6.

Hollywood Outsider:  70 days ago

As a lawyer, I would have expected better grammar. "He has exercised substantial parenting time with the parties son" should be "party's son," shouldn't it? Just sayin'.
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At this point I don't know who to believe because his side does sound plausible. If someone isn't happy in a marriage, they can say just about anything when they have a celebrity for a spouse, and people will listen. Either way, it's unfortunate that their son was present.

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7.

moxie:  70 days ago

Booze...If you can't control yourself, don't drink the ****. Especially if you have kids in the home. I'd bet that this has happened before, too. Think of your son, you two fools.

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8.

Truth:  70 days ago

REAL QUESTION - WHY DID IT TAKE HARVEY AND TMZ A WHOLE FREAKIN MONTH TO GET THIS ANECDOTE?? THOT TMZ WAS NUMERO UNO IN CELEB STALKING. MUST BE BECUZ IT'S OUTSIDE THE THIRTY MILE ZONE. #EPICFAIL #LAME #TURTH!!

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9.

kathy haass:  70 days ago

What A Bitch..

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10.

Chris:  70 days ago

Never heard of the guy....and I'm a country music fan.

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11.

Elaine:  70 days ago

That is so a "yes, I did it and enjoyed it face" if I've ever seen one.

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12.

onelove627:  70 days ago

I wouldn't call him a "country superstar" he's more like a three or four hit wonder.

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13.

Samantha:  70 days ago

I'm so lucky to have a man that would never even dream about hitting me. Men that hit women should never get 2nd chances.

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14.

TK:  70 days ago

Sounds like he may have a new country hit in the making appropriately named. . . .wait for it. . . .

I tried to kill her with a 'piller'.

Thank you, I'll be here all night!

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15.

Landry:  70 days ago

Grammar genius......it's supposed to say parties' son...not party's.....there is more than one party. If you're going to correct someone, make sure you're right first.

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