Aug. 27—MITCHELL — A 30-year-old Mitchell man pleaded not guilty Tuesday, Aug. 26, to multiple charges stemming from an alleged domestic assault earlier this month.
Tanner Pickner faces charges of domestic abuse aggravated assault by strangulation, a Class 3 felony, witness tampering, a Class 4 felony, and bond violation, a Class 1 misdemeanor. The charges follow an incident reported on Aug. 7, in which Pickner is accused of violently assaulting his girlfriend.
According to court documents, the victim told police that Pickner held a screwdriver to her chest and throat, choked her until she lost consciousness, and headbutted her in the face. She also claimed he threatened her, saying if she called police, it would be the last time she would see her children. Authorities noted visible redness on the woman’s forehead and throat. A screwdriver with an orange handle was recovered at the scene.
Eight children were reportedly in the home at the time. Pickner denied the allegations. Police also discovered he also had active warrants related to unpaid child support.
The next day, the victim informed police she was pressured by a third party to drop the charges. A recorded jail phone call revealed Pickner had instructed a woman to convince the victim to recant, stating that he would otherwise go to prison. The woman later admitted to acting on Pickner’s request.
Pickner’s request for a personal recognizance bond was denied. A jury trial is scheduled for December.