Man charged after choking daughter over family home dispute

A 67-year-old St. Croix man has been charged with second-degree assault as a crime of domestic violence following an alleged attack on his daughter over ownership of a family property in Estate All for the Better.

The incident took place on Monday morning, November 9, when the woman was in her bathroom and her father, Gary Brown, let himself in with his key to deliver mail. Though he still had access to the house, he no longer lived there. He confronted his daughter and pressed her about when she would vacate the property. She told him she had been given permission to stay and had no intention of leaving.

The situation turned violent when Brown allegedly threw a punch at his daughter, who managed to evade the blow. He then grabbed her from behind, placed his arm around her neck and squeezed with enough force to cut off her air supply, according to court records. Her three-year-old son saw what was happening and began yelling at his grandfather to let go. After the child's cries reached him, Brown loosened his hold, enabling his daughter to get away, retrieve her phone and dial 911.

By the time she returned to the living room, her father had left the house. Police who arrived at around 10:26 a.m. found a bruise under her chin that had not been there before the confrontation. She also reported pain in her neck.

When police questioned Brown, he acknowledged throwing a punch but said he only held her "tightly" until she calmed down. He denied trying to strangle her and claimed she had tried to hit him first.

The property dispute has deeper roots. Brown and his now-deceased mother were both listed on the deed. However, his mother's will apparently stated that ownership should pass to all five of her children, including Brown. He had previously occupied the house with his girlfriend and another family member before the two of them moved out roughly half a year earlier following a falling out.

Brown was taken into custody on November 10 and brought to the Wilbur H. Francis Command Police Station for processing. He was held at the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility without the possibility of bail pending an advice-of-rights hearing. That hearing was set for Tuesday, November 10, in front of Magistrate Christopher Timmons, though the result has not been confirmed.