A Vancouver man who allegedly strangled his wife and repeatedly head-butted and punched her in the face was in Clark County Superior Court on Tuesday to face an allegation of attempted second-degree murder.
Robert W. Clark, 42, also appeared on suspicion of second-degree domestic violence assault-strangulation and unlawful imprisonment in connection with the Sunday night attack at the Heathman Lodge, 7801 N.E. Greenwood Drive.
The woman told police that Clark assaulted her for nearly two hours in a hotel room. He strangled her with an unknown object and used his hands to try to cut off her breathing. He also repeatedly head-butted and punched her in the face. She said she was gasping for air and feared that if she lost consciousness, Clark would kill her, according to an affidavit of probable cause.
Clark reportedly kept saying he was sorry it had come to this, which she said she believed meant he would suffocate her to death, the affidavit states.
As soon as Clark got off of her, the woman grabbed her firearm from her purse. He jumped back on top of her, however, so she fired two shots near his head to scare him off. It worked, and she ran from the room and called 911, court records said.
Vancouver police said that the woman had blood caked on her lips and nose, and had multiple abrasions, scratches and swelling on her forehead and face. She also had bleeding in her right eye and under her chin, police said, consistent with having been strangled, according to court documents.
Police said the woman was barefoot and crying, and she was angry no one had heard her cries or the gunshots, the affidavit states.
On Tuesday, Clark told Judge Daniel Stahnke that he needs to be released from jail so he can provide for his children. He said that the facts the prosecution presented were not true. The prosecution asked that he remain in custody on $200,000 bail.
Stahnke set Clark’s bail at $500,000, prompting Clark to ask the judge why he would impose a higher bail. Stahnke told Clark that he doesn’t need to explain himself.
Clark will be arraigned Jan. 12. The prosecution said it’s possible he will face additional charges, including third-degree assault of an officer.
