Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Both say they argued over her cellphone
PULLMAN — A woman declined to unlock her phone and was allegedly choked for it.
Demetrius R. Robinson, 34, of Tacoma, is charged with assault in the second degree, assault in the fourth degree, unlawful imprisonment, and harassment – threats to kill, in Whitman County Superior Court.
He was booked into jail at 3:15 a.m. on Monday and appeared to be under the influence of a stimulant as he was “acting excited and not forming sentences,” according to court records.
The Washington State University police arrested Robinson at the Residence Inn by Marriott. They were called by staff after a 19-year-old woman claimed she was assaulted in a hotel room. Police noted they photographed red marks on her neck and arms.
The woman said she and Robinson are acquaintances and had sex before he left the hotel room for several hours. After he returned, she was texting when he allegedly demanded her phone. She locked it.
Robinson is accused of getting angry, choking her, and telling her “I’ll f---ing kill you,” according to court records. He told her to leave and when she tried, he allegedly grabbed her from behind to stop her. He let her go and then grabbed her hair in the hall and hit her in the face.
Officers wrote he said they had consensual sex and argued over her locked phone, and “declined to say anything further,” according to court records.
Bill Stevenson is the former editor of the Whitman County Gazette, Colfax Daily Bulletin and Franklin Connection. He has nearly 30 years of journalism experience covering news in Eastern Washington.
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