Rob Porter told White House senior staff ex-wife's black eye was accidental

[RandySF]

Hours after allegations of domestic abuse came to light — including stark photos of one ex-wife with a black eye and a harrowing account of violence from a second ex-wife — former White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter sought to downplay the narrative, instead offering stories of household mishaps and minor squabbles, two sources with knowledge of his account told ABC News.

Porter told senior staffers his first ex-wife, Colbie Holderness, received a black eye and facial bruises during an argument as the two struggled over a Venetian glass vase in their hotel room while on vacation in Venice in the early 2000s after they were married.

He said that “[Holderness] was ready to throw glass onto the floor to smash and they both lunged for the glass and there was a struggle,” according to two people with knowledge of the account.

Porter went on to say that she bruised her eye when she fell during their struggle and denied punching her. He also said that the was first time they had a physical altercation.

Holderness told the Daily Mail that he punched her in the face.


http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/rob-porter-told-white-house-senior-staff-wifes/story?id=53024050

[dlk]

1. Of Course, She Accidentally Ran Her Face Into His Fist

Porter's lame defense is just another sorry cliche. No one believes him.

[First Speaker]

2. Maybe she slipped on a bar of soap...

[marble falls]

3. Denial is the first sign. Blaming the victim is the second.

[JDC]

4. "Incidental contact"

F him.

[uppityperson]

5. Of course it was accidental. DVers try not to leave marks visible to others

It was an accident my nose was broken when he punched me in the face. He was very upset that others would notice what he did.

No pity for dvers.

[Tatiana]

6. Are we back in the 50s or what?

Would he "struggle" over a Venetian vase with Mike Tyson? The Rock?

It's sickening that he offered such an unbelievably ridiculous explanation for what clearly occurred (he punched his wife in the face).

[Gothmog]

7. Porter is lying about his abuse

[unblock]

8. Again, that scene from office space comes to mind

Where Jennifer Aniston says (simplifying), “so, the money's not yours? Then it becomes yours? How’s that not stealing?”

Same thing here.

So, you had a “physical altercation”?
And she ended up with a black eye?
How’s that not domestic violence?

[Jersey Devil]

9. Maybe she walked into a door knob

Ridiculous