By St. Louis Public Radio staff
Jefferson City, Mo. – Former Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton was charged with second-degree assault on Monday.
The felony allegations against the 42-year-old Republican stem from a woman's claim that Jetton hit her in the face several times and choked her into unconsciousness.
However an affidavit from police in the southeastern Missouri town of Sikeston says Jetton went to the home of the unnamed woman to drink wine and watch football, and the two allegedly agreed on the safe word of "green balloons" to use during intercourse.
Defense attorney Stephen Wilson says Jetton is not guilty and will fight the allegation vigorously.
Jetton was elected Missouri House speaker in 2005. He left the House last year because of term limits and works as a consultant.
The St. Louis Business Journal has posted the affidavit of probable cause here.