Wis. Woman Charged With Trying To Strangle Party Goer

RACINE, Wis. (AP) — A Mount Pleasant woman is accused of beating and strangling another female at a birthday party.

A 24-year-old woman called police early Wednesday and said the defendant, for no apparent reason, attacked her at a friend's birthday party in Mount Pleasant.

The victim says 27-year-old Ashley Gehrke punched her numerous times, threw her to the ground, strangled her, put her hands in her mouth and wouldn't let her leave the residence. The victim eventually managed to leave and run to a neighbor's home for help.

Police noted the woman had injuries to her head, neck and face. She was treated at a hospital and released. Gehrke was arrested at the party house. She has been charged with strangulation and suffocation, false imprisonment, substantial battery and disorderly conduct. Online court records don't list a defense attorney.

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