A 64-year-old Ocala man was jailed on a domestic battery charge after he allegedly kicked down a bedroom door and choked his brother during an argument over a television remote that belonged to him.
Shortly after 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a local residence in reference to a physical altercation involving two siblings, according to the arrest report.
The deputy made contact with a man, identified as Michael Edward Washam, who advised that he had gotten into a verbal altercation with his brother over a television remote. The report referred to the brother as the victim in this case.
Washam claimed that during the argument, the victim approached him and “hit him in his right hand with a cane.” In response, Washam told the deputy that he “pushed” the victim.
The deputy noted in the report that a “red mark” was visible on Washam’s right hand.
The victim spoke separately with the deputy and advised that Washam had entered the residence shortly before the altercation. Washam then allegedly began acting “very aggressive,” and the victim stated that he walked into his bedroom and shut the door, according to the report.
Moments later, Washam allegedly “kicked (the victim’s) bedroom door down.” According to the victim’s statement, Washam then allegedly entered the bedroom, placed both of his hands around the victim’s neck, and started choking the victim.
While being choked, the victim advised that he fell onto the bedroom floor. Washam then allegedly grabbed the television remote that had prompted the argument, and he left the bedroom, according to the report.
The victim claimed that his breathing was “impacted” during the incident “to the point where he could not breathe.” The deputy mentioned in the report that “red streaking marks” were visible on both sides of the victim’s neck, along with a “fresh red mark” on his chest that appeared swollen.
The victim denied hitting Washam with a cane during the incident, and the report stated that a cane was not found inside the residence.
The deputy returned to Washam. After being read his Miranda rights, Washam allegedly admitted to grabbing the victim “around (the) neck/throat area,” though he claimed he did so to push the victim away, which caused the victim to fall to the ground, according to the report.
Washam was placed under arrest and booked into Marion County Jail, where he remains in custody. His bond has been set at $2,500, and he is being charged with domestic battery by strangulation.
A court date for Washam has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.