A Colorado man that police said punched, kicked, choked, and “body slammed” his fiancé in a St. Thomas hotel room was in a jail cell Monday on assault charges.
Police arrested John Michael Purcell, 34, Saturday after being called to the upmarket Club Wyndham Elysian Resort on St. Thomas’ east end. The victim said Purcell had hit and kicked her multiple times that Thursday. On Saturday she kicked Purcell out. He did not go, instead, police said, he squeezed her throat repeatedly, following each choking with a body slam.
“Investigation revealed that the victim sustained multiple bruises about the body, a small laceration to her nose bridge and had difficulty swallowing,” according to a police statement. The victim refused medical attention.
Purcell was being held without bail.