Lucedale lawmaker accused of punching wife in face
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From Staff Reports
Calls for State Rep. Doug McLeod to resign his post are emerging after the Republican lawmaker from Lucedale was arrested earlier this week for allegedly punching his wife in the face during a domestic incident.
McLeod was arrested Saturday night at his home on Bexley Church Road in Lucedale after police responded to a 911 call from the residence. According to a sheriff’s department incident report made public Tuesday, McLeod’s wife told officers her husband punched her “because she wasn’t taking her clothes off fast enough” after he told her he wanted to have sex.
McLeod was booked into jail in George County early Sunday and charged with misdemeanor domestic violence – simple assault. He has since been released on a $1,000 signature bond.
Deputies responding to the scene reported that McLeod was noticeably intoxicated, slurring his speech and having difficulty walking steadily. When officers told McLeod a domestic assault had been reported, they say he replied “Are you kidding me?”
Deputies stated in the report McLeod’s wife had blood all over her face, neck and arms and that they found blood on the couple’s bed and on the floor in the same room while conducting their investigation.
The alleged victim and another female at the scene were described in the report as shaken and upset. McLeod’s wife reportedly only agreed to leave the house after being assured by deputies they would keep her away from her husband.
The report indicates McLeod’s wife said her husband was drunk and had “just snapped” and that “this is what happens when he drinks too much.”
The other woman told deputies that after the incident that she was in a different room with McLeod’s wife and that the state lawmaker was banging on the door and threatening to kill her dog if she did not let him in.
Multiple news outlets have reportedly reached out to the 58-year-old lawmaker for comment without any response. George County authorities say the incident remains under investigation.
McLeod has been a state representative since 2012, representing parts of George, Jackson, Stone and Forrest counties. He is unopposed in a re-election bid this year.
Republican House Speaker Philip Gunn of Clinton said McLeod should resign if the allegations are true.
“I have attempted to contact Rep. McLeod to request his resignation, if in fact, these allegations are true,” Gunn told Mississippi Today. “These actions are unacceptable for anyone.”
Jackson news outlets reported Tuesday afternoon Gov. Phil Bryant’s office had issued a brief statement on the incident, stating the governor believes that acts of abuse of any kind are reprehensible and that he trusts local authorities to look into and thoroughly investigate the matter.
