Thief River Falls (trfnews.i234.me) — A Minneapolis man is charged in Pennington County District Court after police say he strangled a woman until she blacked out at a Thief River Falls hotel.
William Frank Syrette Jr., 47, is charged with felony domestic assault by strangulation. He is also charged with misdemeanor domestic assault. He also faces a charge of felony fourth-degree assault of a correctional officer, according to the complaint.
A mug shot was not available as of Tuesday morning. The complaint says the woman suffered facial injuries. It was not clear if she sought medical care.
The woman ran for help, the complaint says
The charges stem from a report at the Custom Stay in Thief River Falls. The complaint says a bloodied woman arrived at the hotel manager’s apartment at about 9:31 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 1.
Police say she collapsed on a bed after asking for help. Officers responded and spoke with the woman, according to the complaint.
Argument led to alleged assault
The woman told police that Syrette became upset after she came home from work, the complaint says. She said he complained about being stuck at home all day.
The woman said he had been paranoid lately. She said he feared she would leave him. The complaint says she tried to step outside to avoid a fight.
That is when Syrette allegedly put his hands around her throat. The complaint says he yelled words suggesting she would die that night.
Police say he squeezed her neck until she could not breathe. The woman fell to the ground and blacked out, according to the complaint.
The complaint says she believed he was going to kill her. Police also allege Syrette punched and kicked her in several areas.
The complaint says the woman’s juvenile daughter witnessed the assault. After the woman regained consciousness, she ran to the manager’s apartment for help.
Police contact Syrette
Officers went to the apartment, the complaint says. The daughter answered the door and Syrette was inside.
Police say Syrette had blood on his hands and pants. The complaint says blood was also seen on the door.
Syrette told police the couple argued, the complaint says. He later claimed he hurt himself while trying to fix a fan.
Police continued questioning him, according to the complaint. It says Syrette began crying and said he did something stupid.
Jail incident adds charge
After his arrest, the complaint says Syrette began hitting his head against a wall in the booking area.
Police say a corrections officer tried to strap him into a restraint chair. The complaint says Syrette then spit on the officer.
Case resources
Charges are not proof of guilt. The case will be decided in court.
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) |
Minnesota Judicial Branch |
National Domestic Violence Hotline
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
Karma can’t show up fast enough. 6 feet under
6 ft cure
stay strapped or get clapped
What a sick mother fucker he needs to strangled in more ways then one how sick ,pathetic and sad gross how people MEN OBVIOUSLY TOTALLY RUDE AND BRUTAL SICK PIECE OF SHIT HOPE YOU PAY THE HARD WAY
Hello, I was the victim in this story. I’m not sure what happened that night. She was being erratic and not making sense. She was calling me someone else’s name and accusing me of things that never happened. I am grateful for my life and to have this Devil out of my home. Thanks to all for your prayers while my little family heals.
Wow! TRF PD arrested someone for that!! Usually they don’t, even if it’s on video!!