The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
Police in South Carolina arrested a man after a domestic situation turned violent when his wife tried to keep him from getting behind the wheel while he was allegedly intoxicated.
Officers went to the couple’s neighborhood on a Sunday afternoon after receiving a call that a woman had gone to a nearby home. When the police spoke with her, she explained that the argument had begun earlier in the day over something small. She reported that her husband had been drinking, and tensions rose after she smoked the last of his cigarettes. She said he became upset and announced he was going out to buy more, despite her belief that he was intoxicated. She added that she thought he might hurt himself or someone else if he drove, so she grabbed his car keys and tried to stop him from leaving.
According to reports, they struggled, and the situation escalated quickly. The man’s wife told officers he hit her in the face, leaving her nose bleeding, and lunged at her several times before she fled to the neighbor’s house. She also mentioned that she had ongoing concerns about his health and drinking habits, saying her efforts to encourage him to get treatment often caused friction between them.
While officers were gathering her statement, other officers spoke with the man, who was at the couple’s home. They reported that he smelled strongly of alcohol and seemed impaired. He initially denied any physical aggression towards his wife, but officers said he later acknowledged striking her. Police noted that they saw what appeared to be fresh blood on his knuckles and a trail of blood inside the home.
The man claimed his partner took his keys simply to control whether he could buy cigarettes. Although the woman said she didn’t want charges filed, police arrested him based on the evidence at the scene and the nature of the incident.
The man was taken into custody and booked into the Spartanburg County Detention Center. He is facing a charge of domestic violence in the third degree. At the time this was written, according to facility records, he is still behind bars in lieu of a $1,500 bond. It was ordered that he is to stay away from his spouse when he is released.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a domestic violence offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.