Man accused of choking girlfriend

COEUR d’ALENE — A man is in jail after police said he choked his girlfriend.

Ezekiel C. Blalock, 34, is charged with attempted strangulation, a felony.

Police responded around 7 a.m. Sunday to a domestic violence call at a Coeur d’Alene residence.

A woman who identified herself as Blalock’s girlfriend said the pair had argued the night before after she went to his residence.

The woman said Blalock grabbed her from behind when she turned to leave, put his hands around her neck and squeezed hard enough to cut off her breathing. She reportedly said Blalock choked her for about one minute.

Police observed redness on the woman’s neck, according to court documents. She also reportedly showed police text messages she sent Blalock regarding the incident.

When questioned by police, Blalock reportedly said he and the woman had argued after she went to his residence but he did not touch her and the altercation was not physical.

Police arrested Blalock.

Judge Mayli Walsh ordered Monday that Blalock be held on $30,000 bail and issued a no contact order between Blalock and the woman.