A long-running domestic situation has led to sheriff deputies investigating charges of Assault with a Deadly Weapon against a Wilkes man. 35-year old David Royal is also facing possible charges of Assault on a female and communicating threats, after deputies were called to the family's Hays home Tuesday evening. They arrived to find 37-year old Melissa Royal with two black eyes. Family members said Mr. Royal had been abusing his wife for some time. Deputies went inside and asked him how his wife was injured, to which he responded she'd been in a car wreck. Back outside, she said he had hit her in the face. Back inside, he admitted hitting her, but said it happened three weeks ago. Another deputy had been to the house at that time, but Mrs. Royal would not tell him how she was hurt, so no charges were filed. Additional investigation led to allegations that at one time a knife had been used to assault Mrs. Royal, although the report released today does not go into detail of those allegations. Deputies say the whole matter remains under investigation.