By Chris Conley
The Commercial Appeal
MEMPHIS, Tenn — A Memphis firefighter has been relieved of duty after being arrested New Year's Day and accused of assaulting his wife.
Johnny Harrison, 37, is charged with domestic assault. It's the second time he has been charged with an attack on her.
According to the charge, Harrison and his wife were arguing about 3 a.m., when he prevented her from leaving their southeast Shelby County home.
He grabbed a telephone from the victim's hand and threw it across the room, then began pushing and choking her, according to the charge.
The wife was able to call 911, but was unable to speak because Harrison was choking her, reports say.
He then sped away from the house in a red SUV, which police stopped at Shelby Drive and Riverdale Road.
The victim had bruises and minor cuts on her face, detectives noted.
Harrison is to appear on Jan. 15 to face similar domestic assault charges stemming from an altercation in June.
His wife was struck several times in the face during an argument on June 16, and Harrison was charged with aggravated assault.
The victim was hospitalized in stable condition after she suffered facial injuries, including a possible broken eye socket, according to the charges.
A grand jury indicted Harrison in that attack in October on a charge of domestic assault.
Harrison has been relieved of duty with pay, pending the outcome of an investigation into the more recent charges, Memphis Fire Department spokesman Lt. Keith Staples said.
Copyright 2008 The Commercial Appeal, Inc.
