South Western schools athletic director accused of strangling, assault in domestic dispute

South Western School District's athletic director faces several criminal charges after he was arrested early Saturday morning for allegedly strangling and assaulting his wife at their Jackson Township home. 

On Monday morning, South Western Supt. Jay Burkhart confirmed that the district's athletic director, Kurt Brenner, had been arrested.

When asked if he had spoken to Brenner about the charges, Burkhart said, "I'm not going to discuss it. It's a personnel matter."

Brenner, who spent the previous two years as Hanover High School's athletic director, was named athletic director for South Western in October.

Burkhart also would not say if the school board planned to meet to discuss the charges against Brenner, if Brenner was still working, or had been placed on paid or unpaid leave.

"At this point, we are still reviewing everything," Burkhart said. "We are continuing to review the situation."

South Western School Board President Vanessa M. Berger could not be reached for comment. Vice President Thomas M. Zimmerman said he had no comment when reached on Monday.

Brenner, 31, of the first block of Quartz Ridge Drive, also could not be reached for comment. He faces charges of strangulation, simple assault and harassment, according to charging documents.

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He was arraigned on the charges and posted $7,500 bail at Central Booking. As of Monday, a preliminary hearing on the case had not be scheduled, according to District Judge Thomas Reilly's office. 

Arrested Saturday

About 2:14 a.m. on Saturday, Brenner's wife, Candise Brenner, called police to her home for a report of a physical domestic disturbance, documents state.

Once police arrived, she told them her husband, Kurt Brenner, had some friends over for a party, but that she retired to the bedroom about 10:30 p.m. About 12:40 a.m., Brenner came into the room and fell on her while trying to get into bed.

In an effort to get away from her husband — after he tried to take her covers — Candise Brenner tried to sleep in the living room. But Brenner followed her, "laid his body on hers while pushing her head in between the couch cushions with his elbow," documents state. "She advised she was having trouble breathing and 'saw stars.'"

She tried to scream for her husband's friends, who were sleeping nearby, but they could not hear her. She then yelled at him, "You're going to kill me," documents state.

Police also spoke with a "visibly intoxicated" Brenner, who denied everything his wife told them.

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