Man found guilty of domestic battery after strangling woman, forcing her into car

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - A Tallahassee man was found guilty of Domestic Battery by Strangulation.

According to court documents, Antonio McGriff and the victim were at a friend’s house in October when he grabbed her by the throat, leaving multiple scratches and swelling.

He was alleged to have then forced the victim into his car, demanding she drive to an unspecified location. During the drive, the victim tried to call her mother for help. According to documents, McGriff reportedly grabbed her wrist and took her phone.

Documents show McGriff continued to assault the victim, biting her on the arm, and threatening to kill her if she tried to run.

The victim was able to pull into a gas station and shout for help. When she started screaming, McGriff pushed her out of the car and drove away with her phone.

A jury found McGriff guilty of Domestic Battery by Strangulation, Assault, and Theft.

Based on his criminal history, McGriff was sentenced to a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years on the Domestic Battery charge.