COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A Coldwater man was arraigned Tuesday in Branch County District Court in connection with a Monday incident which brought charges including domestic assault and escape from lawful custody.
Coldwater City Police say they were called around 6:40 p.m. Monday to check out a report of a woman being assaulted where she lived at the Courtyard Apartments on Orleans Boulevard on the city’s east side. When officers arrived, they located the suspect, 44-year old Michael Christman, and according to police, he denied anything happened with the reported victim, who said she had been choked by Christman.
Christman was handcuffed, but then he scuffled with officers, one of whom they said was bitten on his arm by Christman. The suspect was placed in the back seat of a patrol car but somehow managed to get the back door open and fled on foot. Christman ran north from the scene about a quarter of a mile where he was chased down in a field off Burns Park Drive, tazed, and then taken back into custody.
Christman, who is a convicted felon, was charged with domestic assault, 3 counts of resisting a police officer, escape from lawful custody, and parole violation.
No bond was allowed and Christman is due back in Branch County District Court for a probable cause hearing August 23, 2018.
