A Centralia man is facing second-degree assault charges for allegedly strangling a woman on Thursday.
Michael R. Rogers, 35, is accused of choking the victim until she lost consciousness and then, when she woke up, of grabbing her by the neck and “throwing her around the house like a ‘rag doll,’” according to court documents.
The victim was reportedly able to flee to a nearby motel to call law enforcement after “she saw that Rogers was getting tired from throwing her around,” according to court documents.
Responding police officers observed the victim had “red marks on her neck, a scratch to the right side of her forehead and blood on her shirt.”
Rogers was booked into the Lewis County Jail at 12:50 p.m. on July 15 and had his preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court the following day.
Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead recommended that Judge Andrew Toynbee set Rogers’ bail at $100,000 and issue a no-contact order to protect the victim for the duration of the court case.
“The state’s concern is the allegations here,” said Halstead. “The state believes he is a threat to the community, particularly to the victim.”
The victim, however, did not want the court to issue a protection order, according to defense attorney Rachael Tiller.
Despite giving police a statement on the alleged assault in the hospital Thursday, Tiller told the court the victim later stated she was under the influence at the time of her report and does not stand by her statement, which was quoted in the affidavit of probable cause for the case.
“She doesn’t wish to have this case pursued,” said Tiller.
“Regardless of the alleged victim’s position, there are observations by officers concurring with the statements,” said Toynbee, who opted to set Rogers’ bail at $50,000 and issue a no-contact order in favor of the victim.
“It’s necessary to protect Mr. Rogers from intimidating witnesses and interfering with the administration of justice,” said Toynbee.
Rogers’ next court appearance is an arraignment hearing scheduled for July 29.
