Pharos-Tribune

November 6, 2009

Man accused of choking pregnant wife

Police charge husband with disrupting 9-1-1 call

by Kevin Lilly

A Logansport man has been arrested on charges he choked his pregnant wife while she attempted to call police.

Police responding to a 9-1-1 call Wednesday morning arrested 25-year-old Brian Keith Powers on charges of domestic battery, strangulation and interference with a 9-1-1 call. He has since posted a $2,000 cash bond to free himself from jail.

Shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday, the emergency communications center received a 9-1-1 call that went dead before the dispatcher could learn the nature of the emergency. After dispatch called back and got no answer, police responded to the residence in the 200 block of 17th Street to investigate. Officers reported finding a distraught woman with signs of injury to her throat and neck.

The woman, Kristen Powers, reportedly told police that her husband had battered her after ordering her to move out. She explained that during the argument, her husband grabbed her arm and neck hard enough to cause pain.

When she tried to call police, she said, her husband put her in a choke hold, took the phone from her and then removed the batteries.

A police report stated that officers found Brian Powers inside the residence. He reportedly said his wife attacked him and he was only defending himself.

Medics treated Kristen Powers at the scene.

• Kevin Lilly is news editor of the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached at 574-732-5117 or kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com.