Rob Morrison, a morning TV news anchor for WCBS, choked his wife during a fight at their suburban Connecticut home early Sunday and then threatened her again after he was arrested, police said.
Cops in Darien raced to Morrison’s home around 1:30 a.m. after his mother-in-law called police to report a domestic incident at the couple’s $1.26 million home.
They found Ashley Morrison, 40, a fellow TV news anchor, with red marks on her neck. Rob Morrison was bleeding from his face, an injury a source said was a result of the clash with his wife.
A day after the alleged attack, the couple issued a joint statement through Rob Morrison’s attorney that downplayed the dustup — even though the husband was charged with a felony.
“The Morrisons are confident that a full review of this matter will show that the allegations have been greatly exaggerated,” the statement said.
“While this matter is being addressed, Rob and Ashley hope that their family’s privacy will be respected.”
Police said the hot-headed anchor grew angry with his bombshell wife beginning Saturday night. Cops wouldn’t say what they were fighting about, but the argument ended with him “choking her by the neck with both hands.”
He was still steaming as he was getting booked. While being processed, he “made verbal threats to do his wife additional harm, which were overheard by arresting officers,” Darien police said.
Pressed for an explanation Monday night, the hubby had little to say.
“We, my son, wife and myself, are fine, thank you,” he told the Daily News in an email.
Ashley Morrison’s mother, Martha Risk, who made the 911 call, was also tight-lipped. “I have no comment,” she told The News.
Rob Morrison, 44, is expected to face a judge in Stamford on Tuesday. He’s charged with second-degree strangulation, a felony. He was also hit with misdemeanor threatening and disorderly conduct raps.
A source with knowledge of their relationship told The News the alleged choking was not an isolated incident of violence and that alcohol and anger issues have helped fuel ongoing abuse by Rob Morrison.
Ashley Morrison didn’t request medical attention, though police said there was evidence of an attack. “Officers did observe red marks on the victim’s neck consistent with this allegation,” cops confirmed in a statement.
Rob Morrison, a handsome ex-Marine, anchors “This Morning” and “News at Noon” for CBS’ New York affiliate on Channel 2. His normally polished look was in stark contrast to a mugshot released Monday. First posted by the Darien Times newspaper, the photo shows him in a hooded sweatshirt with blood on his nose and a bruised lip. He’s visibly smirking.
The anchor was released after posting $100,000 bond.
Morrison previously spent 10 years at WNBC/4 New York. He’s a former foreign correspondent who has reported from Iraq and Afghanistan. His stunning blond wife is an anchor for CBS MoneyWatch, a financial news service for CBS stations.
Ashley Morrison was wearing a black turtleneck when she opened the door of the couple’s home to let a cop inside the five-bedroom house on Monday afternoon.
A relative who spoke on condition of anonymity called the couple’s relationship “fine” and the alleged choking “bizarre.”
The couple has a young son, and Ashley Morrison’s Facebook profile has many photos of him playing sports and skiing.
Both Morrisons skipped work Monday, sources said.
A WCBS/2 spokeswoman declined to comment, calling the incident a “personal matter.” She wouldn’t say when the Morrisons are expected back on air.
dbeekman@nydailynews.com
