COEUR d’ALENE — Ashton E. Newberry, 20, of Coeur d’Alene, is charged with attempted strangulation, a felony and domestic battery in the presence of a child, a misdemeanor, after police said he choked a woman.

The charges stem from Jan. 1, when a woman reported to police that Newberry had “slapped and strangled her” during an argument, according to court records. Upon arriving at the scene and speaking with the woman, police observed petechiae, tiny hemorrhages that occur in the skin when capillaries overfill with blood and pop, "in both her eyes."

The woman told police that Newberry pushed her against a wall during an argument and grabbed her around the throat with both hands, squeezing hard enough that she couldn’t breathe. 

“She said her vision began going dark and she didn’t have a lot of recollection after he began squeezing,” a police report said. 

Police arrested Newberry at the scene.

When questioned by police, Newberry allegedly admitted to pushing the woman, then holding her against a wall with his hand on her throat. He told police that it was “hard for (the woman) to breathe” during that time, and he let her go “due to him understanding what he was doing was wrong,” according to court records. 

During a previous argument over Christmas, the woman said Newberry threatened to “kill everyone” in the residence if he could get a gun. She told police that the alleged strangulation made her fear that Newberry would follow through on the threat. 

On Friday, Jan. 2, First District Judge Tristan Poorman set Newberry's bail at $150,000. 

In Idaho, attempted strangulation is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, while domestic battery in the presence of a child carries a maximum penalty of up to two years behind bars. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual abuse, reach Safe Passage 24/7 by calling 208-664-9303 or texting 208-449-7228.