74-year-old Indiana Man, William Joseph Shields Accused of Assaulting Two Women During Thanksgiving Dinner

A 74-year-old man from Indiana is accused of assaulting two women during a Thanksgiving dinner gathering. The man, identified as William Joseph Shields, is alleged to have been drinking heavily throughout the day and had threatened the women before the incident occurred.

According to authorities in Delaware County, they received a call on Thursday evening reporting a loud argument involving a man and a woman. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found two women on the front porch, one of whom was visibly distressed and having difficulty breathing.

Inside the residence, officers found Shields lying on the floor upstairs, drinking a glass of water. He was reportedly extremely intoxicated.

Investigators determined that Shields had been arguing with one of the women about dinner. When the other woman tried to put her plate in the sink, Shields prevented her from doing so.

He allegedly got up in her face and began yelling, before striking her in the cheek with an unknown object. Shields then proceeded to strangle her by the throat.

The victim stated that Shields wrapped his legs around her and used all of his weight to make it difficult for her to breathe. She believed that she would have lost consciousness if she had not been able to protect herself and escape his hold.

First responders treated both women at the scene. The injured woman had a scratch on her left arm and pain in her left cheek.

According to police, the victim had been staying at the residence to care for the other woman, who was ill. The other woman stated that Shields had been drinking all day and had threatened her several times.

Shields has been charged with strangulation and domestic battery. He was booked into the Delaware County jail on Thursday with a $10,000 bond.

 

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