Columbus police say a fight yesterday morning over a cell phone inside an east-side apartment ended with a woman being strangled, hit with a handgun, and rushed to the hospital, and a 28-year-old man now facing a felony charge.
According to court records, Donald Isaiah Dozier, 28, was charged yesterday after officers say he attacked his girlfriend inside an apartment in the 2000 block of Winslow Drive. The woman was taken to Mount Carmel East for treatment, and Dozier is scheduled for arraignment today.
Police were called around 9:24 a.m. after an argument that investigators say started when Dozier accused the woman of going through his phone. Court filings state he grabbed her phone, wrapped his forearm around her neck while she was seated, chased her into a bathroom and pinned her against a wall. Investigators allege he then struck her twice in the back of the head with a Taurus G3C 9-millimeter handgun, according to MyFOX28.
Strangulation Now a Separate Felony in Ohio
Ohio now treats strangulation as its own crime under ORC 2903.18, a law that took effect April 4, 2023. The statute makes choking or otherwise impeding someone’s breathing a felony, with different tiers that scale with the level of harm. Lawmakers crafted the measure to give prosecutors clearer tools in domestic-violence cases, since neck compression can cause serious internal injury even when there are few visible marks, according to the Ohio Revised Code.
What Happens Next
Dozier is set to appear today in Franklin County Municipal Court for arraignment on a felonious-assault charge that alleges use of a deadly weapon. Officials have not yet released bond information. Court filings and the municipal court docket will show whether prosecutors decide to add or change any charges, according to MyFOX28.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. Survivors seeking help can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Resources and live chat are also available at thehotline.org.
