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Tag: Domestic assault

  • NC firefighter accused of assaulting wife, setting fire inside the family’s home

    MEBANE

    The Orange County District Attorney’s Office says Billy Wayne Smith, who’s a firefighter with the City of Durham, set a fire in his family home and physically assaulted his wife.

    Deputies were called to the house early Sunday morning.

    The incident allegedly happened while Smith’s 7-year-old child and mother-in-law were there.

    The prosecutor said in court that when deputies arrived, Smith became combative with law enforcement, and he was placed under an involuntary commitment.

    The wife was also injured in the incident.

    Smith is facing five charges, including felony first-degree arson.

    His wife, who was there to support him, told the court that “He was in crisis” and “He’s not a dangerous man when he’s sober. I don’t know what triggered this situation.”

    ABC11 tried to speak with Smith’s wife after court. She did not want to comment, but she did ask the judge to release him and said the situation “spiraled beyond what I could handle.”

    ABC11 learned in court that Smith was charged in 2015 with assault on a female, and earlier this year, the prosecutor said there was another incident involving a firearm.

    Smith worked part-time for the Mebane Fire Department from 2012 until 2017.

    Durham Fire Chief Christoper Iannuzzi said, “The department is taking these allegations seriously and is reviewing the matter in accordance with city policies and procedures.”

    The judge set Smith’s bail at $200,000 and ordered him not to have contact with his wife if he is released.

    ABC11 is The News & Observer’s newsgathering partner.

    This story was originally published November 24, 2025 at 5:45 PM.

    Elaina Athans | ABC11

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  • Charlie LeDuff’s domestic violence case dropped after his wife refuses to testify

    Charlie LeDuff’s domestic violence case dropped after his wife refuses to testify

    click to enlarge

    Pleasant Ridge Police

    Charlie LeDuff’s mugshot after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting his wife in December 2023.

    Polarizing reporter and best-selling author Charlie LeDuff dodged a conviction for allegedly assaulting his wife in December after she refused to testify against him at a trial Tuesday.

    Judge Jaimie Powell Horowitz dismissed a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence in 45th District Court in Oak Park.

    LeDuff’s wife, who was subpoenaed to testify, invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, saying she was the aggressor, according to LeDuff’s attorney Todd Perkins.

    “She admitted that she had been drinking,” Perkins tells Metro Times. “She said that he had not done anything that made her feel threatened or anything like that.”

    His wife said she was angry that LeDuff arrived late to their Pleasant Ridge home, and she pushed him, according to Perkins.

    Police alleged Charlie LeDuff was the aggressor.

    Without the key witness willing to testify, the judge dismissed the case.

    In a statement to Metro Times, Perkins said he was “happy for Charlie and his wife.” LeDuff’s bond barred him from living with his wife at their home. Now that the case has been dismissed, he is able to return.

    “I know his separation from his family has been very difficult for him, as I am confident that his family felt similarly,” Perkins said. “Having been dutifully mindful of the court’s orders, he has been unable for almost five months to speak with his best friend. I thank him for trusting me to help him and represent him through this difficult time.”

    It wasn’t the first time LeDuff’s wife claimed he had assaulted her. Shortly after midnight in July 2009, LeDuff’s wife called 911, and the operator heard screams in the background before the phone hung up.

    When police arrived, the officer said LeDuff’s wife had scratches and slight swelling to her right eye, blood around her nose and left arm, and abrasions on her forehead, lip, and arm, according to a police report obtained by Metro Times.

    LeDuff recounted his version of the incident in his 2014 best-selling book, Detroit: An American Autopsy.

    LeDuff claimed he “smeared pizza” on his wife’s face after she said she was tired of hearing about murder victims he had been writing about. LeDuff wrote that he told his wife that his reporting was “putting pizza in your fat mouth.”

    After she told him to fuck off, LeDuff wrote, “I jumped out of my chair, took her by the wrist and smeared the pizza in her face. She slapped me.”

    She dialed 911, and “then, like a spoiled sorority girl, hung up the phone,” LeDuff wrote.

    According to LeDuff, the pizza sauce resembled blood, prompting police to falsely believe he assaulted his wife.

    The police report provided a different account. When officers asked LeDuff’s wife about the abrasions and blood, she told them she had cut herself shaving. There was no mention of pizza sauce.

    According to police, LeDuff’s wife, who was crying, denied being assaulted and said they were just having an argument, adding, “he’s a great guy.”

    Metro Times couldn’t reach LeDuff or his wife for comment.

    After his arrest in December, LeDuff stopped airing his weekly podcast, No Bullshit News Hour. It’s unclear if he plans to resume it.

    But until recently, LeDuff had remained active on X, pushing a right-wing narrative about immigration and the economy. He hasn’t posted since May 4.

    In October 2023, LeDuff was fired from his job as a columnist at the Detroit News after using a vulgar, coded phrase aimed at Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. In a social media post, LeDuff wrote to Nessel, “See you next Tuesday,” a backronym for the word “cunt.” It’s often written, “C U Next Tuesday.”

    The domestic violence allegations aren’t his only run-ins with the law. In 2013, LeDuff was accused of urinating in public, biting a security guard at a Saint Patrick’s Day party, and calling three policewomen “whores.”

    In 2001, LeDuff won a Pulitzer Prize for a series of stories for The New York Times.

    After 12 years at The New York Times, LeDuff took a reporting job at the Detroit News, where details in some of his stories were called into question. In one story that made national news, LeDuff accused Detroit police of failing to respond to his call about a dead body discovered lodged in ice in an abandoned warehouse. Metro Times and the Detroit Free Press both published stories contradicting LeDuff’s accounts of what happened.

    In October 2010 LeDeuff left the Detroit News to join Fox 2 (WJBK), where he was known for using bizarre antics to report on serious issues, making him a household name. His show The Americans with Charlie LeDuff was syndicated on Fox stations across the country, reaching even more viewers.

    In 2011, a Detroit police officer sued LeDuff over two of his Detroit News stories that claimed she moonlighted as a stripper and danced at the long-rumored, never-proven party by then-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick at the Manoogian Mansion. In the lawsuit, which was eventually dismissed, Officer Paytra Williams alleged LeDuff got facts wrong in the story and disputed that she moonlighted as a stripper.

    LeDuff left Fox 2 in November 2016.

    LeDuff wrote two critically acclaimed books, Detroit: An American Autopsy (2013) and Shitshow!: The Country’s Collapsing and the Ratings Are Great (2018).

    In October 2018, LeDuff launched The No BS News Hour, where he built a conservative following by attacking Democrats and taking a hardline position against immigration and President Joe Biden’s administration. He frequently appeared on Fox News and podcasts hosted by far-right conservatives.

    Steve Neavling

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  • Community seeks bodycam video in St. Paul police shooting

    Community seeks bodycam video in St. Paul police shooting

    ST. PAUL, Minn. — Community members are calling for the quick release of body camera video after a Minnesota officer shot and killed a man, who police say had a gun.

    Family members have identified the man as 24-year-old Howard Johnson. He was shot by a St. Paul police officer on Monday, police said.

    “He loved everybody and everybody loved him,” his mother, Monique Johnson, told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “I don’t understand why this had to happen to my child.”

    The St. Paul Police Department says officers were responding to a domestic assault Monday evening and were told by the caller that the man had a gun, before the call ended abruptly. The man ran away before officers arrived.

    According to a statement from police, officers saw the man running with a gun in his hand. When they saw him appear to attempt a carjacking, officers drove up to the man and police believe they struck him with a squad car.

    “As the officers got out of their car, the man was standing with the gun in his hand and an officer fired multiple rounds, striking the man in the torso and leg,” the statement said. “Officers immediately rendered aid to the man and called for St. Paul Fire medics.”

    Johnson was taken to a hospital where he later died.

    A vigil was held Tuesday night at the scene of the shooting.

    Trahern Crews, co-founder and lead organizer of Black Lives Matter Minnesota, said they want to see body camera footage “to clear all doubts.”

    “We should know exactly what happened so this family can be comforted, and if something went wrong then people need to be held accountable swiftly and immediately,” Crews said.

    Johnson had been convicted in recent years of felony domestic abuse and fleeing from police. Family members say he was the father of 4-year-old twins.

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  • Man pardoned by ex-Kentucky gov. convicted of strangulation

    Man pardoned by ex-Kentucky gov. convicted of strangulation

    COVINGTON, Ky. — A Kentucky man has been convicted of strangulation and domestic violence, three years after he was one of hundreds pardoned during former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin’s last days in office.

    Joheim Bandy, 20, was found guilty by a jury in Kenton County this week, The Kentucky Enquirer reported. Since his 2019 pardon, Bandy has been charged in three separate strangulation cases, the newspaper reported.

    Bandy was 15 when he was given a 13-year prison sentence for robbery and assault, according to court documents. He had served two years of that sentence when he was fully pardoned by Bevin.

    Bevin wrote in the document that Bandy is “turning his life around,” and “I am confident that he will do great things with his life.” The Republican issued hundreds of pardons following his failed reelection bid, attracting criticism from lawmakers, prosecutors and victims who were outraged that violent felons were being released.

    “The pardon (Bandy) received was shockingly irresponsible and it nearly cost a 22-year-old mother her life,” Kenton Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders said.

    In the strangulation case, a victim identified in court documents as the mother of Bandy’s child, told Covington police officers Bandy “pinned her against the wall, placing his hands around her neck, and restricting her ability to breathe.”

    Sanders said another trial for Bandy is scheduled to begin in February.

    Patrick Baker, another man pardoned by Bevin, was sentenced earlier this year to 42 years in federal prison for a 2014 drug robbery killing, the same crime he was pardoned for. That pardon had drawn particular scrutiny after media reports revealed that Baker’s family had political connections to Bevin and hosted a fundraiser for the former governor. Baker was convicted of murder last year in a federal trial.

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  • Former Nebraska interim coach arrested in domestic case

    Former Nebraska interim coach arrested in domestic case

    LINCOLN, Neb. — Mickey Joseph, Nebraska’s interim coach for nine games after Scott Frost’s firing, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of strangulation and third-degree domestic assault.

    Police went to a Lincoln residence in the afternoon after a report of a domestic disturbance. Following an investigation, the 54-year-old Joseph was arrested at another location. He was being held at Lancaster Country Jail.

    “While the Lincoln Police Department does not normally provide a news release for a domestic-related arrest, due to the high-profile nature of the person involved and, in an effort, to provide transparency on an arrest involving a public figure, notification of the arrest is being made,” police said in a statement.

    Further details weren’t released.

    Matt Rhule was introduced as the Cornhuskers’ head coach Monday. Athletic director Trev Alberts had said he spoke with Joseph about the job before Rhule’s hiring.

    Rhule had not announced whether Joseph would be retained on his staff. Rhule did not immediately respond to a text message and voice mail left on his phone.

    Joseph played quarterback for the Cornhuskers from 1988-91 and returned last December as receivers coach.

    He was named interim head coach Sept. 11 after Alberts fired Frost. The Huskers were 3-6 under Joseph and finished the season 4-8.

    “I was made aware of the charges against Coach Joseph and given the nature of the allegations and based on University policy he has been placed on administrative leave,” Alberts said in a statement. “We will have no additional comment at this time.”

    Joseph had said at his first news conference as interim coach that he wanted the job full-time.

    When asked Monday by The Associated Press how Joseph reacted when told Rhule would be hired, Alberts said, “He took it really good.”

    Alberts did not answer directly Monday when asked if Joseph were a serious candidate. Alberts has repeatedly lauded Joseph for creating positive energy around the team and motivating players to play hard.

    “Mickey’s an outstanding coach, and he’s obviously got a huge and bright future in the business, and we’ll see whether it continues here,” Alberts said Monday. “Coach Rhule wants to sit down with him. I have so much respect for Mickey Joseph and what he’s done for our program, and our players do as well.”

    ———

    AP college : https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP—Top25. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://bit.ly/3pqZVaF

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  • Wounded officer shot, killed suspect who killed 2 colleagues

    Wounded officer shot, killed suspect who killed 2 colleagues

    BRISTOL, Conn. — A Connecticut police officer who was wounded in an apparent ambush that killed two of his fellow officers fired the shot that killed the attacker, police said.

    In a Facebook post Saturday, police in Bristol said Alec Iurato was hit by gunfire and returned fire on Wednesday, killing Nicholas Brutcher. The state medical examiner’s office said Brutcher, 35, died from a gunshot wound to the neck with spinal cord injuries.

    Sgt. Dustin Demonte and Officer Alex Hamzy were gunned down outside a home where they had responded to a 911 call about possible domestic violence that authorities said appeared to be a deliberate act to lure police there.

    Witnesses said they heard about 30 gunshots during the confrontation.

    Iurato was released from the hospital on Thursday. Brutcher’s brother, Nathan Brutcher, was wounded in the shootout. Nathan Brutcher hasn’t been accused of playing any role in the attack.

    The bodies of both officers were brought to funeral homes in separate processions Friday, as hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight vigil outside the Bristol police station. In New York, the New York Yankees held a moment of silence in the officers’ honor before Game 2 of their American League Division Series game against Cleveland at Yankee Stadium.

    Police officials said all three officers were respected and had received commendations.

    Demonte, 35, was a 10-year veteran officer and co-recipient of his department’s 2019 Officer of the Year award. His wife is expecting their third child.

    Hamzy, 34, worked eight years for his hometown police force. Like Demonte, he was an adviser to a police cadet program.

    Iurato, 26, joined the Bristol department in 2018 and has a bachelor’s degree in government, law and national security.

    Nicholas Brutcher was a divorced father of two and a gun, hunting and fishing enthusiast, according to his social media pages.

    In a photo posted on both brothers’ Facebook pages in 2016, Nicholas Brutcher is pointing a handgun at the camera while others, including Nathan Brutcher, are holding rifles.

    Other photos show Nicholas Brutcher with a 10-point deer he shot and with fish he caught.

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  • Domestic violence charge casts shadow over judge’s race

    Domestic violence charge casts shadow over judge’s race

    MUSKEGON, Mich — A Michigan judicial candidate is facing domestic assault charges partly based on video footage suggesting he hit his girlfriend repeatedly with a belt, prompting local domestic violence advocates to actively speak out against his candidacy.

    The candidate’s girlfriend and his attorney deny that he actually struck her.

    According to the Detroit Free Press, Jason Kolkema was arraigned on the misdemeanor charges in mid-September. Kolkema, a 51-year-old attorney running for Muskegon County’s 14th Circuit Court judicial seat, contends he was striking a chair with a belt and not his girlfriend as suggested by the video shot by an office worker in a building neighboring Kolkema’s apartment.

    “I understand that the optics are bad. I understand the anger and disappointment, especially from the people who voted for me and supported me … All of the facts will be revealed in due time,” Kolkema wrote on Facebook in response to a comment.

    Kolkema has declined to comment to the newspaper, instead referring questions to his girlfriend. His attorney, Terry Nolan, told WOOD-TV in September that Kolkema did not strike his girlfriend and said the incident shouldn’t disqualify him from seeking a seat on the bench.

    The woman, who is not identified in the Free Press reporting, told the newspaper she was wearing a headset and that Kolkema struck the chair’s armrest to get her attention. The woman said she took some blame for the incident, writing to the Free Press that “it was rude of me to ignore him.”

    The newspaper found court and police records describing earlier violent confrontations involving Kolkema and his girlfriend.

    One incident came two days before the videotaped belt strikes. According to Ottawa County court records, Kolkema allegedly spit at the woman’s 12-year-old daughter, threw water on them followed by a Gatorade bottle which missed them but hit a lamp.

    Three months earlier, the woman reported to Fruitport police that Kolkema had slapped her. When officers arrived, the girlfriend recanted and Kolkema told police that she “gets like this when she is drunk … and makes things up.”

    The woman told the Free Press that Kolkema has never hurt her or her daughter.

    “He never beat me,” she wrote. “He’s not scary or threatening as a person … Just boisterous, animated.”

    Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Hilson, whose office charged Kolkema with misdemeanor domestic assault in the filmed Aug. 18 incident, said it doesn’t matter if Kolkema actually struck his girlfriend that day.

    “Domestic violence includes violence that can either be physical, or threatened,” he told the newspaper. “Contact is not required.”

    Kolkema’s trial is not scheduled to begin until nearly two weeks after the Nov. 8 election. The footage and subsequent media attention have triggered intense debate in western Michigan.

    “I cannot imagine a victim sitting in front of a ‘Jason Kolkema’ and asking him to protect her from an assailant,” said Muskegon resident Heather Fry, who is a domestic abuse survivor and victim’s advocate.

    Whatever happened, the scene that unfolded on the video shows “a violent act meant to instill fear,” Fry said.

    Supporters on Kolkema’s social media pages have offered support, saying that he deserves the presumption of innocence and that his life should not be destroyed for “one mistake.”

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