Staff Report
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — A Syracuse man is facing eight criminal charges after allegedly battering a woman and three minors. 

Walter Lee Morris, 55, 407 N. Lake St., Syracuse, is charged with domestic battery to a person less than 14 years of age by a person at least 18 years of age, a level 6 felony; domestic battery with a child under 16 present, a level 6 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a  level 6 felony; three counts of domestic battery, all class A misdemeanors; possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor; and possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor. 

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on April 24, a woman and her children came to the Syracuse Police Department. The woman told police that Morris had just battered her and the children with her.

The woman said Morris had been drinking with a friend that day and was intoxicated. She said at some point Morris became verbally abusive toward her. 

She said he then became physically violent, grabbing her arms and forcibly pulling her away from the chair she was sitting in. The woman said one of the children stepped between the woman and Morris numerous times. She said Morris struck her and the juvenile multiple times during the incident. 

The woman said things calmed down for a short time; however, she said Morris again became physical with her and the same juvenile. During this altercation, the woman said Morris pushed a second juvenile to the ground. 

A third minor reportedly entered the room at that time and began arguing with Morris. According to the affidavit, Morris then grabbed that person by the hand and pushed the minor.

Statements given by two of the minors corroborated the woman’s report of the incident. 

Officers were provided with videos of the incident. The first video contains mostly verbal arguments. In that video, Morris is seen holding a pipe used for marijuana. The woman provided police with the pipe seen in the video, which contained marijuana.

In the second video, Morris can be seen walking toward the woman in an aggressive manner. A minor is seen stepping between the woman and Morris, and Morris pushes that minor. Morris is also seen pushing a second minor to the ground.

The third minor provided police with a bag containing methamphetamine. The minor reported finding the bag in Morris’ dresser. The minor told police that Morris sells methamphetamine out of the residence.

Morris was booked at the Kosciusko County Jail April 24 on. $5,250 surety and cash bond.