Albany Man Facing Several Charges for Alleged Domestic Assault

(KNSI) — A 30-year-old from Albany is facing several charges after he allegedly strangled a woman, pulled her hair, and tried to throw her down a flight of stairs.

According to the criminal complaint, police were sent to a home on Sunday after someone called 911 but didn’t answer when dispatch picked up. Officers were told someone was screaming on an open 911 line, and then the call disconnected.

A woman at the house told police that Bo Hemmesch had grabbed her by the arms, knocked her phone out of her hands, pushed her on the floor, and grabbed her by the face. She told police that Hemmesch had also assaulted her late Friday, April 15th, or early Saturday, April 16th, after the two had gotten into an argument and that it turned physical. She said he left bruises on her face, arms, and neck and had grabbed her by the throat. She said he verbally assaulted her, threatened to “end her,” and said her kids were better off without her. She told investigators she thought he would kill her and that he grabbed her by the hair and tried to throw her down the stairs. She said Hemmesch calmed down and apologized but wouldn’t let her leave when she wouldn’t talk to him.

Hemmesch told police in a sworn statement the two had gotten into an argument, and she tried leaving the house with a child. He said he grabbed her arm to stop her, put her in a bear hug, and knocked the phone out of her hands. Then he said he noticed she had dialed 911, so he put his hands on her face and covered her mouth to keep her from screaming. He denied putting his hands on her throat. He said he put his hands on her face to calm her down and described him grabbing her head as a “listen to what I’m saying” hold.

Hemmesch was charged with felony domestic assault by strangulation and five counts of misdemeanor domestic assault. Bail was set at $30,000 with no conditions, $3,000 with. His next court appearance is set for May 2nd.

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