Police: Man attacked wife
KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 1 month AGO
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | December 17, 2020 1:00 AM
COEUR d’ALENE — A man is in jail after police said he attacked his wife in September.
The 33-year-old Coeur d’Alene resident is charged with felony domestic battery.
The charge stems from Sept. 26, when the man and his wife argued at their residence in Coeur d’Alene. She said she tried to leave, but her husband blocked her path and slammed her against a washing machine.
The woman told police she attempted to use a stun gun she kept in her pocket to defend herself, but her husband grabbed it out of her hand.
She said he tackled her when she tried to flee, causing her to fall through a baby gate and down several steps. She reportedly hit her head and began bleeding.
After running out the back door, the woman said she climbed a fence to escape, according to court documents.
The woman said she hesitated to report the incident for fear of retaliation from her husband.
When she contacted police on Dec. 14, she provided photos of bruises on her arms and legs that she said were taken after the incident. She also indicated that a scar on her forehead was the result of an injury she sustained that night.
Police said they arrested the man after his wife obtained a civil protection order.
When questioned by police, the man allegedly acknowledged the Sept. 26 argument but said the altercation was not physical. He said the scar on his wife’s forehead was due to her fainting and hitting her head.
Judge Timothy Van Valin ordered that the man be held on $10,000 bail and issued a no contact order between the man and his wife.
The Press is not naming the suspect at this time because that would reveal the identity of the victim. The Press tries to protect the privacy of victims.
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