US man gives police a very transparent alibi
Friday 3 February 2012, 04:23PM
When you’re about to be pinged for a domestic assault charge, perhaps it’s natural to get a bit creative with your excuse.
But there is a fine line between being creative and downright ridiculous, and a US man has leaped right across it.
Police in Wisconsin arrested Michael West, 41, on January 15 after responding to a domestic disturbance call.
West’s wife told the cops that her husband twice attempted to strangle her and that he struck her in the face when she attempted to call 911.
West initially went with the classic favourite; that his wife sustained injuries as a result of “several falls”.
But when an officer pressed the issue, West allegedly got his creative juices flowing and opted for less obvious scenario: “A ghost did it.” However, his explanation doesn’t have a ghost of a chance of getting any support from researchers like Ron James, a filmmaker who specialises in the paranormal.
“Reports of ghosts attacking people or making them do things are extremely rare and there is no solid evidence to support them,” he said.
James said the only way West’s claim might be legit is if the house has had documented paranormal activity, or if West and his wife have been known to have otherworldly entities following them. Or, of course, if West was simply a violent drunk.
“If the husband had become possessed by some demonic entity, it certainly could manifest as violent,” James said. “It probably is a case where none of us will ever know for sure, but the cynical side of me says that ‘a ghost made me do it’ is a pretty convenient excuse.”
West was arrested and charged with domestic abuse, strangulation, battery, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. We will also throw in an honorary charge at him for being a complete idiot.
