The Latest: Lawmaker asked to resign if abuse charge true

LUCEDALE, Miss. — The Latest on a Mississippi lawmaker accused of punching his wife (all times local):

5:30 p.m.

Mississippi’s House speaker says a state lawmaker should resign if he punched his wife in the face.

Republican Speaker Philip Gunn says he has tried to contact Republican Rep. Doug McLeod of Lucedale to request his resignation if what sheriff’s deputies accuse him of is true.

A report filed by George County deputies says McLeod bloodied his wife’s nose after she didn’t undress quickly enough when McLeod wanted to have sex. Deputies report McLeod was drunk and holding a glass of alcohol when they arrived.

Gunn calls the actions “unacceptable for anyone.”

McLeod is charged with misdemeanour domestic violence. He’s free on bail and hasn’t returned requests for comment. It’s unclear if he has a lawyer.

The 58-year-old McLeod has represented George and Stone counties since 2012. He’s unopposed for re-election this year.

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1:15 p.m.

A police report says a south Mississippi lawmaker punched his wife in the face after she didn’t undress quickly enough when the lawmaker wanted to have sex.

Republican state Rep. Doug McLeod of Lucedale was arrested Saturday on a misdemeanour domestic violence charge.

The Sun Herald reports the document was filed with the George County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies report McLeod was drunk and holding a glass of alcohol when they arrived. Deputies report McLeod punched his wife and bloodied her nose. When officers told McLeod a domestic assault had been reported, they say he replied “Are you kidding me?”

McLeod is free on bail. He didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

The 58-year-old McLeod has represented George and Stone counties since 2012. He’s unopposed for re-election this year.

The Associated Press