Deputies with the Graham County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a domestic violence incident that was reported early Aug. 1 at a residence on East Plateau Drive.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded at about 3:03 a.m. after receiving a report of a domestic dispute. When they arrived, they contacted a man who had a superficial cut on his right side. The man told deputies he and his former girlfriend had been involved in a verbal argument that escalated into a physical encounter.
The man told investigators that while the two were arguing, the woman grabbed his hands in an attempt to get him to listen. As he pulled away, he sustained a cut from what he believed may have been a small object, although he said he did not see anything in her hand and acknowledged the injury could have been caused by her fingernail.
The incident was reported about an hour after it occurred. The man told deputies there was a delay because he was unable to find his cell phone after it had been hidden. He also reported that the woman had already left the residence after a friend picked her up.
Lifeline personnel evaluated the man’s injury at the scene. He declined transportation to a hospital after receiving treatment, and deputies photographed the injury as part of the investigation.
Although the man told deputies he did not wish to pursue charges, investigators advised him that Arizona law requires domestic violence incidents to be documented and forwarded for review regardless of a victim’s wishes. He was also provided with information about victims’ rights.
Later that day, the woman contacted the Sheriff’s Office by telephone. According to a supplemental report, she said the couple had argued and separated. She told investigators that she wrapped her arms around the man’s waist as he attempted to leave the residence so they could continue talking. She said he pulled away and that her long fingernails likely caused the scratch. She also stated that nothing had been broken during the argument and that she left the residence after calling a friend for a ride.
The case has been forwarded for review as a domestic violence assault investigation.
