A Holts Summit man accused of choking and beating a woman and attempting to make her eat dog food has been charged with first-degree domestic assault and unlawful use of a weapon.
Tyler S. Askam, 23, was charged Sunday after he allegedly went to the victim's residence in Jefferson City in the early Friday morning and "assaulted her, damaged property and put her in fear of her safety and life," according to a Jefferson City Police Department probable cause statement.
Police reported Askam entered the residence and started screaming at the victim. Askam then left but came back and "started kicking the closed door hard enough to split the wood on the door frame." He re-entered the residence and broke the victim's cellphone.
Police said Askam then grabbed the woman by her hair and started calling her names. He then grabbed her by the throat and "told her she would be sorry if she did not give him the other phone she had," according to the probable cause statement.
Askam allegedly threw the woman on the floor and again started to choke her, throwing her head "back and forth on the floor."
Askam then "grabbed some dog food and attempted to make the victim eat it while saying, 'Eat this you (expletive) dog,'" according to the statement.
The victim was able to get away from him and ran and hid in her children's room while Askam broke kitchen chairs.
Police said Askam then found the woman and pointed a rifle at her head. She ran from Askam after she begged him not to hurt her.
Askam picked up a "large glass ash tray and started going after the victim. (Askam) drew back to throw a punch at the victim, but she was able to duck and he punched a hole in the bathroom door. (Askam) also punched a hole in the bedroom door and threw shoes and other items at her," according to the statement.
Askam's bond has been set at $25,000 cash or surety.