Daily Skiff

Hmieleski [Click to enlarge]

Terjesen [Click to enlarge]

A business professor charged this summer with assault with bodily injury against another business professor wrote in an e-mail Monday that he is not guilty of the charge.

Keith Hmieleski, a management professor who was charged with assault this summer after police reported a domestic dispute involving him and Siri Terjesen, another business school professor, said he is not guilty and will continue to teach at the university.

Hmieleski, 34, is teaching two classes this semester. Terjesen said she has taken a leave of absence because she does not feel safe on campus. She is teaching this semester as a visiting professor at another university.

Shawn Kornegay, associate director of communications, wrote in an e-mail that university policy does not allow discussion of personnel matters related to this case but that the university is following the proceedings.

"This dispute occurred off campus between two campus members. Even so, the university is fully attentive to this situation and will follow court proceedings to ensure that all facts are completely understood," Kornegay wrote in an e-mail statement.

Lt. Paul Henderson, public information officer for the Fort Worth Police Department, said an arrest warrant was issued for Hmieleski on July 1, but Hmieleski turned himself in at the Fort Worth Municipal Court. Hmieleski posted a $2,500 cash bail bond, said Terry Grisham, spokesman for the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office.

The Tarrant County District Attorney's Office filed charges of assault with bodily injury to a family member against Hmieleski on July 3, more than three months after Terjesen reported the domestic dispute at her apartment, according to court records.

Hmieleski, who had previously shared a residence with Terjesen, went to Terjesen's apartment at about 7 a.m. on March 18, and the two started arguing, according to an arrest affidavit. Hmieleski followed Terjesen to the kitchen and continued the argument during which he grabbed a small purse and acted as if he were going to throw it at her, according to the affidavit.

Hmieleski came into the kitchen, blocking the exit, and as he stepped within a foot of Terjesen, she threw a cup of coffee at him, after which he slapped her with his open hand, bursting her eardrum and causing hearing loss, according to the affidavit. Hmieleski left the residence and Terjesen called the police, according to the affidavit.

Hmieleski admitted to hitting Terjesen with his open hand, but told police he did it in reaction to Terjesen throwing coffee at him, according to the affidavit.

Hmieleski also filed a report with the police about four hours after Terjesen called the police the day of the incident, but no charges were filed against Terjesen.

Christy Dunn, an assistant district attorney, said the decision to file charges against one person in an assault case is made primarily by the investigators who are at the scene and those who are investigating after the fact. She declined to comment on this particular case.

Lance Evans, Hmieleski's lawyer, said in this case, Terjesen was the aggressor and Hmieleski was the victim.

Dunn said assault with bodily injury is a class A misdemeanor and can result in up to one year in county jail and up to $4,000 fine.

The next court date is set for Oct. 1, according to court records.

O. Homer Erekson, John V. Roach dean of the Neeley School of Business, forwarded questions to the Office of Communications.

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