Let’s all go home and lock our doors

Alleged abuser claimed 'ghost' attacked his wife

By msnbc.com staff

A Wisconsin man charged with domestic abuse told police that a "ghost" had attacked his wife and was responsible for her injuries, according to a police report discovered by The Smoking Gun.

Michael West, 41, was arrested for battery, strangulation, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest.

Police found West's wife Rebecca crying and bleeding when they responded to a report of a domestic dispute on Jan. 15, at the West residence in Fond du Lac, Wis. Drops of blood stained her jersey and areas of the kitchen, according to the police report. The woman told police her husband punched her repeatedly in the face and attempted to strangle her "to the point that [her] vision went black and [she] felt like she was going to pass out," the report said. Police said West appeared intoxicated and was yelling and swearing at the two officers questioning him. The man claimed his wife had fallen several times, injuring her face and neck. When asked specifically about the marks on the woman’s neck, West said, in slurred speech, "A ghost did it." West resisted arrest, but was eventually handcuffed and taken into custody. His wife told police the fight was started over the impending foreclosure on their home.

West remains in police custody pending a preliminary hearing on Jan. 27, police told msnbc.com. The $1,000 cash bond set by the judge has not been paid.

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