04/06/21
A Coralville man was arrested overnight after allegedly choking his live-in girlfriend and taking her phone so she couldn’t call 911 on him.
Police reports indicate that 44-year-old James Shumate of 4
th Avenue Place and the woman share the residence, and the two are in an intimate relationship. Shumate allegedly admitted to restraining the woman on her bed just after 1 am Tuesday.
He reportedly used his forearm on the woman’s neck, impeding airflow. She allegedly stated several times that she couldn’t breathe, but Shumate continued the assault. He also reportedly bit her during the incident.
After Shumate got off the woman, he is accused of taking her phone so she couldn’t call 911. She reportedly screamed for help, and had to knock on a next-door apartment to get in contact with authorities.