By By JAN GRIFFEY / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- Bruce Edward Leach, 1334 Howard St., Niles, awaits sentencing for Nov. 19 incident of domestic violence.
Apparently Leach, who is the city's fire marshal, assaulted his wife during an argument and pulled a telephone out of a bedroom wall, preventing her from seeking help.
Leach waived arraignment and pleaded guilty to the charge of domestic violence and interfering with a phone call in Berrien County Fifth District Court on Wednesday, Nov. 26, said James Cherry, Berrien County prosecuting attorney.
Sentencing has been set for Dec. 12.
Terry Eull, Niles city administrator, said he is aware of the charge. He said to his knowledge Leach has no prior history of similar criminal activity. Eull said only if Leach receives jail time as part of his sentence for the offenses would it impact his position with the city's fire department.