Cops: Forsyth County man punched wheelchair-bound wife in face, broke her nose

Joseph Mark Espenship

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Joseph Mark Espenship

A man in Forsyth County was arrested for allegedly attacking his wife, who uses a wheelchair, authorities confirm.

On Sunday, local dispatchers received a 911 call stating that a 66-year-old woman was attacked and hurt badly by her husband, Cpl. Doug Rainwater said.

About 10 p.m., deputies arrested her husband, 61-year-old Joseph Mark Espenship. His wife was taken to a local hospital, where her condition is unknown.

The woman told investigators that as she was laying in bed, Espenship began punching her in the face with an open fist, breaking her nose, Rainwater said. He was allegedly heavily intoxicated, and she had no way to defend herself.

Espenship has been charged with two felonies, aggravated battery and cruelty to a person 65 years or older, Rainwater said.

He has been booked to the Forsyth County Jail and is currently held with no bond.

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