Accused batterer back in jail
KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 10 months AGO
Fuhr
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 11, 2021 1:00 AM
COEUR d’ALENE — A man accused of choking a woman and breaking her nose on Thanksgiving is back in jail.
Elmer J. Fuhr, 56, of Mesa, Ariz., is charged with domestic battery and attempted strangulation, both felonies.
He is also charged with violating a no contact order, a misdemeanor.
Police responded around 11 p.m. on Nov. 25 to a report of a domestic dispute at a Coeur d’Alene motel.
A woman who identified herself as Fuhr’s wife said Fuhr had attacked her in their shared room after an argument, pinning her to the bed and choking her.
She told police Fuhr punched her in the face multiple times and bit her hand.
She said she fought back, biting and head-butting Fuhr.
Her nose appeared to be broken, police said, and she had other visible injuries, included bruises on her neck and bite marks on one hand.
The motel room was in disarray, with blood on the floor, according to court documents.
Fuhr told police his wife had attacked him and he had defended himself.
His knuckles were swollen and he had scratch marks on his neck, according to court documents.
Police arrested Fuhr at the scene.
First District Judge John Cafferty ordered Friday that Fuhr be held on $30,000 bail.
“I wish I could just make it go away,” Fuhr said in court.
“I’m sure the victim would like her nose not to be broken, too, but here we are today,” Cafferty said.
Cafferty also issued a no contact order between Fuhr and his wife.
After Fuhr posted bail, his wife contacted police, saying Fuhr had attempted to contact her multiple times.
He called her 15 times after his release from jail, police said, and reportedly left messages threatening suicide.
Police arrested Fuhr for violating a no contact order. He posted $10,000 bail.
The following day, prosecutors asked a judge to revoke Fuhr’s original bond for violating the terms of his release. The terms included abiding by the no contact order.
Fuhr’s wife addressed the court Thursday via Zoom.
“I’m terrified of this man,” she said. “He tried to kill me.”
First District Judge Robert Caldwell ordered that Fuhr be remanded back into custody and held on $30,000 bail.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual abuse, call Safe Passage Violence Prevention Center’s 24-hour hotline: 208-664-9303.
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