A Clark County Superior Court judge raised bail in the case against a Battle Ground middle school teacher accused of assaulting his wife, after he was allegedly caught stalking the woman and one of their children in Seattle.
Judge Robert Lewis raised bail for 46-year-old Michael J. Brotherton to $250,000, based on accusations that he violated his conditions of release.
Brotherton — who was placed on leave from Laurin Middle School in March — appeared for the Thursday morning court hearing out of custody, but deputies arrested him when it ended.
He was arrested in Seattle last week on suspicion of domestic violence stalking and two counts of violating domestic violence protection orders. His bail was set at $200,000 in that case. He posted bond and was released.
The protection orders apply to Brotherton’s wife and their two minor children.
According to Clark County court records, Brotherton’s wife told police he assaulted her Feb. 3. She said he became angry with her because she was five minutes late getting home from a class that day, and he grabbed her face and mouth, restricting her breathing and causing her mouth to bleed.
She also said Brotherton would “choke” her on a nearly monthly basis, according to court records, adding that Brotherton, in September, strangled her to the point of losing consciousness.
Brotherton has denied the allegations.
According to Seattle Municipal Court records, Brotherton’s wife and their children have been staying in Seattle. Prior to dropping the children off at school June 12, the woman saw Brotherton driving around her current home. A staff member at one of the children’s schools also allegedly saw Brotherton driving around the school.
Clark County Deputy Prosecutor Greg Harvey told Lewis that the stalking allegations out of Seattle are an extraordinary risk to Brotherton’s family and “the administration of justice.”
Defense attorney John Terry said multiple people saw Brotherton in the Vancouver area at all times when he was allegedly in Seattle. Brotherton loaned his car to his daughter that night, and he attended school graduation events the next day, Terry said.
It is possible the witnesses in Seattle saw a car and driver similar to Brotherton, Terry said.
But Lewis decided to raise Brotherton’s bail and have him taken back into custody, based on the information filed by the prosecution. He said if it turns out the stalking allegations are unfounded, the bail amount will decrease to its original amount of $50,000.
