Wheeling Miners head coach is arrested, released on bond
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WHEELING -- The head coach of the Wheeling Miners indoor football team recently was arrested on a charge of strangling a woman during an alleged domestic dispute.
According to a criminal complaint, Christopher McKinney, 46, of Milburn, Georgia, was arrested July 17 on one felony count of strangulation. He was taken to Northern Regional Jail and released Monday after posting a $2,500 bond.
According to the complaint, Wheeling police officers responded to a residence on 40th Street at about 5:44 a.m. July 17, where they said they saw McKinney loading items into a vehicle parked outside. When officers approached him, he stopped loading the items and raised his hands, according to the complaint. One officer spoke with McKinney while another interviewed the alleged victim.
The victim told police she arrived at the residence around midnight and allegedly found another woman in bed with McKinney. According to the complaint, she left the residence and returned around 5 a.m. in an attempt to avoid a confrontation. The other woman allegedly was still there and, when the victim asked her to leave, McKinney allegedly began attacking her.
According to the complaint, the victim told police McKinney allegedly struck her across the face multiple times and grabbed her by the neck, pushing her against a wall. She said he walked away before returning and allegedly grabbing her by the neck again.
The responding officer reported observing marks on the victim's face, redness around her neck and a long scratch on the back of her shoulder, according to the complaint. The complaint also states the victim pointed out bruises she claimed were the result of previous alleged altercations involving McKinney.
McKinney told police the victim was supposed to return home by midnight but did not arrive until 5 a.m., when they began arguing. According to the complaint, McKinney denied touching the victim.
McKinney was named the Wheeling Miners' head coach in February. Miners General Manager Chris Cipriani released a statement on McKinney's arrest Monday afternoon.
"We are aware of the situation involving Coach McKinney," Cipriani sayd. "This is a serious allegation, and we are gathering all available information. We respect the legal process and will allow it to proceed while we evaluate the appropriate next steps. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Because this is an ongoing legal matter, we won't be commenting further at this time."