CBS News anchor Rob Morrison arrested; police say he violently choked his wife

New York's CBS 2 News anchor Rob Morrison faces felony charges after violently choking wife Ashley Morrison during a fight at their suburban Connecticut home, police said.

Police arrest Morrison after Ashley's mother called to report a domestic incident at the couple's Hollow Tree Ridge home at 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

'Upon arrival, it was ascertained that Morrison had been becoming increasingly belligerent toward his wife during the course of the evening, culminating in his choking her by the neck with both hands,' read a Darien police press release.

Sources say Rob Morrison's wife, Ashley, gave him the bleeding nose and swollen lip seen in this mug shot on the night of his arrest

'Officers did observe red marks on the victim's neck consistent with this allegation.'

As Morrison was being processed he 'made verbal threats to do his wife additional harm, which were overheard by the arresting officers,' police said.

Ashley Morrison did not request medical attention.

He was charged with felony strangulation in the second degree, misdemeanor threatening in the second degree, and disorderly conduct.

He posted $100,000 bond and is schedule to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Tuesday.

Friends of the anchors called their relationship 'fine' and were shocked by the choking allegations, calling them 'bizarre'

Police say they found red marks on the neck of Ashley Morrison, who anchors the CBS program Money Watch

On Monday the couple released a joint statement dismissing the allegations as 'greatly exaggerated.'

Morrison, 44, anchors CBS 3 News 'This Moing' and 'News at Noon.'

Previously he worked at NBC 4, and is a former Marine. Between working for the two stations he wrote a blog for the Huffington Post called 'Daddy Diaries: Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Anchorman.'

As a foreign correspondent, he reported from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Haiti.

Ashley Morrison anchors CBS MoneyWatch. 

Though the couple is downplaying the incident, a mug shot posted by the Darien Times depicts Morrison with blood running down his nose and a bruised, swelling lip.

Quoting a source close to the incident, the Daily News reports those injuries were given to him by Ashley during their quarrel.

Channel 2 news declined comment on the incident, calling it a 'personal matter'

He did not appear on the news Monday.

Ashley's mother, Martha Risk, has declined to comment on the case.

However another relative speaking only on condition of anonymity said the couple's relationship was 'fine' and called the choking claims 'bizarre.'

A statement from Morrison's attoey, Robert Skovgaard, also said the incident was being blown out of proportion.

'Rob and Ashley Morrison are cooperating fully with the authorities to insure that all of the information necessary to properly evaluate this unfortunate incident is made available,' Skovgaard wrote.

'The Morrisons are confident that a full review of this matter will show that the allegations have been greatly exaggerated. While this matter is being addressed, Rob and Ashley hope that their family’s privacy will be respected.'

A CBS 2 spokeswoman declined comment, saying the case was a 'personal matter.'