COURT DOCS: Wells County Coroner, ex-Bluffton detective accused of strangling, pointing gun at girlfriend
WELLS COUNTY, Ind. (WPTA) - Recently filed court records are giving insight into the felony charges against the Wells County Coroner, who formerly served as a Bluffton Police Department detective.
BACKGROUND: Wells County Coroner, Bluffton detective charged with domestic battery, strangulation
Clifford Thomas is charged with felony pointing a firearm at another person and strangulation, as well as misdemeanor domestic battery.
His girlfriend was in the process of moving in with him when the alleged abuse happened, according to court records obtained by 21Investigates. She told an Indiana State Police detective that Thomas was agitated when they woke up on Nov. 6.
The victim told the detective that they were moving some of her belongings into Thomas’ home when he started making comments about her marriage with her ex-husband, court documents say. She said Thomas wanted to speak to her ex and that the conversation didn’t go well.
ALSO: Board of Public Works and Safety votes to dismiss Bluffton detective charged with domestic battery
When back at his house, Thomas allegedly punched holes through a wall, lifted the victim by the neck and slammed her into the ground, and pulled out a gun, court records show. He pointed the gun at his girlfriend and told her he could easily pull the trigger.
The victim said she was worried Thomas would kill her and then himself, but he went to the bedroom, and she left with the dogs that were in the home and his gun, court documents say. She handed the gun over to an officer with the Bluffton Police Department.
After speaking with the victim, the detective investigating the allegations learned that Thomas was in custody with a 0.14 BAC, court records show. The detective did not interview Thomas at the time because he was intoxicated, but spoke with him briefly the next day.
Thomas declined to speak to the detective without an attorney.
“I’m not trying to make your job difficult at all,” Thomas allegedly told the detective. “I just, I can only imagine what she said, and don’t really have any comment on it.”
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