Wife, Mother-in-Law Choked Unsconscious Raise Issue of Weak Penalty

May 15, 2011
By Kimathi Lewis

A man was arrested Sunday after police said he choked his wife and her mother until they lost consciousness.

Police charged Mr. Tyler Roosevelt Valentine, 30, with two counts of battery in the incident that happened inside a home on East Berkshire Court, Athens-Clarke County police Lt. Keith Morris said.

But the misdemeanor charges once again raise the issue of whether some officers were taking the attacks as seriously as they should.

As of 2009, 27 states have made choking or strangulation a felony, according to Ms. Gael Strack, founder of the National Family Justice Center Alliance.

"It's a big problem nationwide," said Ms. Strack, adding 10 to 40 percent of homicides are homicides by strangulation. "But the biggest problem is strangulation to the point where the person loses consciousness."

Ms. Christine Lindsay, 28, told police she and her husband were arguing when he grabbed her by the throat and choked her until she collapsed to the floor, unconscious.

Police did not release any details on why the couple were arguing.

The woman’s mother, Mrs. Cynthia Lindsay, 52, heard the commotion and went downstairs to find out what was happening, Lt. Morris said.

“She too was choked unconscious by her daughter’s husband,” Lt. Morris said. “Another relative also responded and intervened, causing the suspect to leave the residence.”

The suspect returned while police were at the home, the lieutenant said.

"Many victims who are strangled usually don't have any visible injury," Ms. Strack said. "That's why it's hard for police, prosecutors and judges to understand how serious it is."

Mr. Andrew Williams, a Martial Arts teacher, said how the offender strangles the victim will determine whether there is any visible injury.

If the offender strangles the person with open palms, officers will rarely find any visible injury, said Mr. Williams who has more than 49 years experience in the internal and external Martial Arts. But if the person is strangled with the tip of the fingers pressed into the skin then there will be bruises, scratches or tears in the skin, Mr. Williams has said.

Police did not provide any details on how long the women remained unconscious and whether they received any medical attention.