A man has been charged for allegedly attempting to strangle a woman multiple times and imprisoning her in a Pe Ell residence overnight on Saturday.
The victim reported that the defendant, Donny Elliot, 45, of Chehalis, had “become angry” when they were leaving a social gathering the evening of Sept. 12 and grabbed her by the throat at the threshold of the Pe Ell residence. He allegedly squeezed “to the point where ‘she thought she would die,’” according to court documents.
Elliot then allegedly “threw her inside … locked the deadbolt to the door and would not let her leave,” according to court documents.
He allegedly attempted to strangle her again when she attempted to sneak out, and allegedly threw away her phone when he caught her trying to call for help. The victim reported that Elliot let her out in the morning, at which point she contacted law enforcement.
Responding deputies noted visible injuries to the victim’s neck. When questioned by police, Elliot said he did “nothing physical” to the victim, according to court documents.
Elliot was arrested and was booked into the Lewis County Jail at 2:20 p.m. on Sept. 12. He has been charged with one count each of second-degree assault, unlawful imprisonment and interfering with reporting of domestic violence.
Commissioner Pro-Tem Paul Strophy issued a no contact order in favor of the victim and set Elliot’s bail at $50,000 during Elliot’s preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Sept. 13.
His next court appearance is an arraignment hearing scheduled for Sept. 16.
