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By Joe  Seelig | Highlands Today

Published: June 11, 2008

Man Accused Of Strangling Sister Over Shoes
AVON PARK — An Avon Park man was free Wednesday on $25,000 bail after he was accused by his sister of punching her and trying to strangle her over a pair of tennis shoes.

Earl Bernard Nelson, 34, of 1168 Memorial Drive, Avon Park, was charged with simple battery and felony battery or domestic battery by strangulation.

Domestic battery by strangulation is a third-degree felony.

It was about 1:14 p.m. Sunday, when deputies were called to an undisclosed address in Avon Park. Addresses can be omitted in domestic violence cases to protect the victims.

The victim, 30, told deputy Robinn Singles that the argument began over a pair of tennis shoes. The details of the argument were not included in the sheriff's report. The argument escalated when Nelson pushed the victim in her bedroom, the victim told Singles in his report.

The violence reportedly continued in the living room where she told Singles she was punched in the face several times.

The victim said she grabbed a stick lying close to the front door at Nelson trying to defend herself, the report stated. Nelson reportedly took the stick and put it across her neck to choke her.
Nelson was located by deputies at 4:58 p.m. Sunday. He told investigators that he knew they had taken a report and he wanted to give his side.

He admitted the argument got physical with the two of them wrestling around, but denied choking, punching of pushing his sister, the report stated.

Nelson, who is 6-feet 1-inch tall and weighs 190 pounds, had three prior domestic battery arrests in Highlands County.

Boyfriend Accused Of Strangling Girlfriend
LAKE PLACID — A Lake Placid man remained in Highlands County Jail in lieu of $1,000 bond Wednesday, charged with trying to strangle his live-in girlfriend on Saturday.

John Walter Winstel, 49, was charged with felony battery or domestic battery by strangulation.
Sheriff's deputy Richard Kilborn III reported that at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 7, he was called to an undisclosed address in Lake Placid over a "disturbance."

He contacted the victim, who "was very emotional and crying."

She told Kilborn that her boyfriend, Winstel, hit her in the face several times and choked her.
They have lived together as a couple for the last six months, the report stated. Winstel's next court date was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. July 24.

Sheriff's records show that Winstel, who is 5-feet 11-inches tall and weighs 175 pounds, has had five prior arrests on domestic violence charges, including one this year in January.

Domestic Dispute Leads To Bloody Nose, Deputies Say
LAKE PLACID – Deputies were called about 7 p.m. Friday, June 6, to an undisclosed Lake Placid address because of a domestic dispute.

On arrival, deputies found the victim with blood coming from her mouth and nose.
The victim told the investigator that Charles Henry Hullett, 35, of 19410 N.W. 80th Drive, in Okeechobee, hit her several times in the face with the back of his hand.

She said he choked her while she was up against the door of her vehicle. Deputy Yancy Plair noted he saw red finger marks on the the victim's neck.

Hullett reportedly told the deputy that he lost control, hit the victim and grabbed her around the neck as she was in the doorway of a truck. He reported the victim also grabbed him in the neck and they both fell to the ground.

Hullett and the victim had lived together and share a 10-month-old child. The victim was not charged. It was the first time Hullett had been arrested in Highlands County, according to sheriff's records.

Hullett, who is 6-feet 1-inch tall and weighs 194 pounds, was free Wednesday on $5,500 bail.

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