Photo: Lincoln Police Department
(Lincoln, NE) -- More details in the case against former Nebraska interim head coach Mickey Joseph are released.
Court documents show that 54 year old Joseph is accused of strangling and punching his wife Priscilla at their Lincoln home Wednesday afternoon. Lincoln Police say just before 2:00 PM Wednesday, officers were called to a home near South 34th and Tree Line Drive on a domestic disturbance. Court records show that Joseph's wife called 911 to report that Mickey had been "verbal and physical" with her. Mickey's wife told police that the two had been fighting about alleged infidelity when she says Mickey, "pushed me on the couch and strangled me." According to court documents, Priscilla told officers that she couldn't breathe, but was able to push Mickey off of her. She says as she attempted to walk away, Mickey grabbed her by her hair, pulled her down and punched her as she fell backwards.
An arrest affidavit shows that officers reported, "visible redness and swelling" around one of Priscilla's eyes. Lincoln Police say that Joseph was not at the home when officers arrived and that he was arrested at a separate location. According to court documents, Mickey denied hitting his wife and pulling her hair. Mickey Joseph is charged with Strangulation and 3rd Degree Domestic Assault.
Following Mickey's arrest the Lincoln Police Department released a statement saying, "While it does not normally provide a news release for a domestic related arrest, due to the high-profile nature of the person involved and, in an effort, to provide transparency on an arrest involving a public figure, notification of the arrest is being made. To protect the victim in this case and in compliance with Nebraska state law, additional information, including the identity of the victim and any injures, is not being released."
Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts had the following statement following Joseph's arrest: “I was made aware of the charges against Coach Joseph and given the nature of the allegations and based on University policy he has been placed on administrative leave. We will have no additional comment at this time.”