A teacher placed on leave from Laurin Middle School after he was accused of assaulting his wife now faces a stalking charge in Seattle, from when he was allegedly seen driving around the woman’s home and one of their children’s schools.
Michael J. Brotherton, 46, was arrested in Seattle last week on suspicion of domestic violence stalking and two counts of violating domestic violence protection orders.
The protection orders apply to Brotherton’s wife and their two minor children.
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 saw Brotherton driving around the school.
Brotherton was booked into the Clark County Jail on June 22 on an out-of-county warrant and then was booked Monday in the King County Correctional Facility. His bail was set at $200,000, but he posted bond and was released Wednesday, records show.
Battle Ground Public Schools placed Brotherton on administrative leave in April, and a district spokeswoman said at that time he’d remain on leave pending the outcome of his case.
Brotherton wrote in court documents that he’s worked as a history and English teacher. He has been with Battle Ground Public Schools since 1999 and at Laurin Middle School since 2001, according to the district.
The Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Brotherton with two counts of second-degree domestic violence assault March 27.
According to Clark County court records, his 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.
She said she thought he’d kill her and that he took and broke her phone when she attempted to call 911. She also shared photos of her bruised neck and wrists with family to save in case anything happened to her, according to court records.
Brotherton denied the allegations against him in the petition for the temporary protection order and submitted to a polygraph test. He answered no to questions about assaulting or threatening to kill his wife, and the test found that “Brotherton’s reactions were consistent with those of a truthful individual,” court records state.
His next court date in Seattle was set for July 9. Brotherton’s next appearance in Clark County Superior Court was set for July 5.
