City man charged with strangling girlfriend
Police documented several injuries on victim
An Altoona man was arrested on charges of strangulation and false imprisonment after he allegedly became violent during an altercation with his girlfriend, court documents state.
Michael E. Mitchell, 25, was arraigned Saturday by Magisterial District Judge Matthew Dunio after police responded to a call regarding an altercation between Mitchell and his girlfriend.
Mitchell was unable to post his $40,000 cash bail and was jailed at Blair County Prison as of press time Tuesday.
According to a commonwealth criminal complaint, Mitchell’s girlfriend told police Mitchell hurt her during an argument earlier Saturday morning.
During the altercation, the girlfriend felt threatened and picked up a pair of scissors to defend herself, police said.
Mitchell allegedly responded by grabbing his girlfriend’s wrist, then choking her after she dropped the scissors, court documents state.
Police said the girlfriend recalled falling unconscious as a result of Mitchell’s strangulation, and when she regained consciousness, Mitchell wrestled her to the ground and clasped his hand over her mouth to prevent her from screaming.
Once the altercation was over, the girlfriend left the residence, but returned later, court documents state.
Upon returning, Mitchell and the girlfriend argued again, this time in the presence of the girlfriend’s friend, police said.
While the friend stepped in to intervene, Mitchell’s girlfriend attempted to flee the residence, but Mitchell chased his girlfriend and tried to prevent her from leaving by grabbing her ankles, a police report stated.
Police documented the girlfriend’s injuries as a broken blood vessel in her eye, swelling on her neck and a contusion to her knee.
Mitchell’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 28 with Magisterial District Judge Ben Jones.
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