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Written by: E. George
Published May 4, 2024 @ 7:30 PM ET
Warning: The following story contains information regarding physical violence.
COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. – A man was charged with aggravated assault and obstructing/hindering persons making emergency telephone calls after his mother reported that he choked her over a salad incident. A Columbia County Sheriff’s deputy responded to the Martinez home on April 22, 2024, and the victim explained that her son, Benjamin Schlichter, placed her in a rear chokehold after she instructed him to clean up the salad he had spilled.
She said she could barely breathe and felt like she was going to faint. She was on the phone with 911 as she went upstairs to her room, but he grabbed her, knocked the phone away, and placed both hands around her neck.
Her husband heard her screaming and ran upstairs. He grabbed Schlichter and held him down on his bed until law enforcement arrived.
Schlichter denied choking his mother and shortly after said he did not remember doing it. The deputy noted red marks around the victim’s neck and under her chin, indicative of a chokehold.
The deputy handcuffed Schlichter and transported him to the Columbia County Detention Center. During the drive, Schlichter spontaneously uttered, “I didn’t mean to do it,” and “I didn’t mean to hurt her.”
Audio from the emergency call revealed the victim screaming as the phone got knocked out of her grip.
This case is pending in court.
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
I was dispatched to the listed address in reference to a domestic.
Upon arrival I spoke with the victim, [REDACTED], who stated her son, Benjamin Schlichter, was making a salad downstairs. She said he spilled the salad and told Benjamin to clean it up, which he responded with, “I did not make the mess”. [REDACTED] stated after this Benjamin got behind her and put her in a rear naked choke hold. [REDACTED] stated she was barely able to plea with Benjamin to let go, because it was hard for her to breathe. [REDACTED] stated it felt like she was going to pass out.
[REDACTED] then stated she went upstairs to go to her room and was on the phone with 911, which was when Benjamin followed her and pulled her towards his room. [REDACTED] stated Benjamin knocked her phone out of her hand and put both of his hands around her neck. [REDACTED] husband, [REDACTED], heard her screaming and ran to help. [REDACTED] grabbed Benjamin and held him down on Benjamin`s bed until deputies arrived and took over.
Benjamin stated the same, except he never put his hands on [REDACTED], and then stated shortly after that he didn`t remember doing it.
I observed red marks around [REDACTED] neck and under her chin which looked to be from a rear naked choke. Gold Cross arrived on scene and [REDACTED] denied further medical treatment. Benjamin was placed in handcuffs and transported to CCDC. While en route to CCDC, Benjamin spontaneously uttered, “I didn`t mean to do it” and “I didn`t mean to hurt her.”
I met with Magistrate Judge Quesenberry and explained the facts of the case. Judge Quesenberry issued a warrant on Benjamin for Aggravated Assault and Obstructing or Hindering Persons Making Emergency Telephone Calls. Photos of [REDACTED] injuries were uploaded to the evidence drive. Audio from the 911 call was also uploaded to the evidence drive. In the audio, you can hear [REDACTED] talking to dispatch and after dispatch said, “Is your son there with you” she screams. It sounds like the phone was hit out of her hand because the screams sounded more distant, which also corroborates to Benjamin then putting his hands around her neck.
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