Police are searching for a man they believe strangled and physically assaulted a woman in a Richmond Road hotel last Wednesday.
According to James City County Police Department Spokeswoman Stephanie Williams, authorities are searching for 32-year-old county resident James Bernard Turner, who has been charged with domestic assault and felony aggravated assault by strangulation following an incident at America’s Best Value Inn.
Police were called to room inside the hotel, located at 6493 Richmond Road, around 6:12 a.m. May 3 with reports of a domestic dispute in progress.
When officers arrived, they found a woman on the floor “gasping for breath and unable to speak,” Williams said.
The victim was transported to Williamsburg Sentara Hospital and treated for injuries police believe were caused by strangulation.
Police located Turner walking down Richmond Road following the incident and questioned him, but did not have probable cause to take him into custody at that time, Williams said.
Turner told police he had “gotten into a verbal altercation that had turned physical.” He said the victim had scratched him and that he pushed her, Williams said.
Later at the hospital, the victim reported Turner had shoved her head into a wall, pushed her and wrapped his arms around her neck, choking her, Williams said.
Warrants are pending for Turner related to the case.
Police are asking anyone who knows Turner’s whereabouts to call 757-253-1800 or text/email [email protected].
