Kalispell man charged with allegedly choking wife

A Kalispell man is charged with allegedly choking his wife in front of their young children during a recent dispute.

Philip John Denison, 36, was booked Feb. 6 on a felony count of strangulation of a partner or family member.

According to the charging document, two Kalispell Police officers responded to a home on Buttercup Lane after a 911 hangup call Friday, Feb. 5. The officers reported Denison appeared drunk and highly emotional, citing relationship problems.

Officers saw a broken windshield of a vehicle in the driveway and several holes in the drywall of the home. They reported Denison’s fists appeared red, swollen and bleeding.

When they spoke to the victim, she said Denison was calling her names and he had struck the windshield with his fists when she first arrived home. She also said he punched holes in the walls, then allegedly placed his hands around her throat and lifted her off her feet.

The officers saw marks on the victim’s neck and reported two children had reportedly witnessed the incident.

Denison was released from jail Feb. 9. He is scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18.

Scott Shindledecker may be reached at sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com or at 406-758-4441.