Mikael Skinner, Alderman 3rd Ward for Franklin, stands charged with domestic assault after a February event at his house with his wife and with violating a protection order for returning to his residence in March.
According to police reports, Skinner’s wife said he pushed her down on the morning of February 19 after a dispute over a missing Ethernet cable. She also alleged that he grabbed her arm after she hid one of his firearms. The altercation took place in the early morning at their Sontag Drive residence.
Skinner’s wife met Franklin Police Officer Chris Hollingsworth at Steak’n Shake on 4040 Carothers Parkway at 8 a.m. on the morning of February 19 to take her report.
In his report, Hollingsworth said EMS workers found that she had slight bruising and redness on her left hip and tenderness on her left lower rib cage. She also said her nose was in pain from hitting the floor, and produced a photo of bruising on her forearm.
Going from there to talk to Skinner at his residence, the officer took a statement from him that said his wife often took devices he needed for work and made no further statement.
Skinner was charged with domestic assault and bonded out on a $1,500 bail. His court date was set for 1 p.m. on March 2. A protection order was filed.
However on March 5, police reports show that the alderman returned to his residence in violation of the protection order that had been issued. He claimed his lawyer said he could return, and police found no evidence of his wife residing there.
A judge ruled on March 8 that Skinner did not violate the order but the District Attorney after speaking with police decided to pursue charges, according to court documents. Skinner had a court date on March 16 for the charges.
Both charges have been retired, according to the Williamson County Criminal Court Clerk’s office. They are not dropped, but will be revisited by a judge on March 7, 2018. If Skinner follows certain stipulations and does not re-offend they will be dropped then.
Skinner released a statement Monday:
“Out of respect for the privacy of the parties involved, I will not discuss the details of this matter,” the statement said. “I appreciate the love, support and confidence from my family, friends and neighbors during this difficult time. However, I will state that I am not guilty.”
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