TEDDY HART CHARGED WITH STRANGULATION RESULTING IN BODILY HARM, COULD BE FACING UP TO FIVE YEARS IMPRISONMENT

Edward "Teddy Hart" Annis was arraigned this morning on charges of strangulation resulting in wounding/bodily harm this morning in Richmond, Virginia following his arrest on Thursday 3/26.

The victim in the case has been named publicly as Ring of Honor star Maria Manic, who Hart had been dating off and on for several months. Prior to Hart being arrested yesterday, Virginia-based independent wrestler Ace Montana posted a video on his Facebook page where he exits a house, telling someone (believed to be Manic) to lock the door behind him. After exiting the house, he confronts Hart, warning him that the police have been called and that "she would be pressing charges" while threatening Hart that he needed to leave. In the video, Hart denied ever touching Manic before heeding Montana's orders and leaving the immediate premises.

Montana wrote the following blurb for the video: "I literally had to pull my gun on #Teddyhart ?? and throw him out of my friends house?. This piece of sh** literally choked out and physically assaulted Maria Manic and would not let her get help. she texted me I’m in danger never ever did I think I would meet a piece of sh** like this guy who has now been arrested with a felony against him. I don’t think this guy knew how close to death he was. #f***youteddyheart This video is me kick[ing] him out before the cops came and arrested him???." Note - PWInsider.com has censored the expletives from the original post.

Hart is currently being held without bail at Richmond City Jail and is scheduled for a hearing on 4/22 at 2:15 PM.

Under Virginia law, strangulation is considered a class six felony. Should Annis be convicted, he could be looking at 1-5 years imprisonment and a fine of $2,500.

Manic has not commented publicly on the situation.

Yesterday's arrest is the third for Hart in the State over Virginia over the last six weeks.

Hart's legal issues began when he was arrested in Richmond after being pulled over by authorities on 2/12. According to court records, Annis was charged with possession of a schedule III narcotic and possession with intent to sell or distribute. According to Virginia law, Possession of a Schedule III controlled substance is a Class 1 misdemeanor and can be punished with up to 12 months in jail and a fine up to $2,500. Possession of a Schedule III controlled substance by a prisoner (Va. Code §53.1-203(6)) is a Class 5 felony, punished with up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $2,500. According to SwangoLaw.com, narcotics that fall under Schedule III in Virginia include anabolic steroids, ketamine, codeine, and hydrocodone. Court records also indicate Hart was charged with not carrying/exhibiting his registration card or license, improperly mounted license plates and failure to use lights with wipers. Those charges are still pending.

In a now-deleted YouTube video featuring a phone conversation between Annis and Manic, who he was in a relationship with, Annis stated that after the 2/9 Ring of Honor Free Enterprise event (which he was visiting at in Baltimore), he left Manic at their hotel in Maryland and drove to Virginia to get marijuana. He stated he was alone as Manic had "hit her head hard" during an angle where she was put through a table on the ROH event. Hart stated he was pulled over due to an ongoing issue with his license plate not matching the registration for his car, something he claimed had been "taken care of." Authorities searched his car and found marijuana and steroids. In the video, Hart stated he had a "prescription" but does not clarify which he has a prescription for. According to court records, Annis has charged with possession of a schedule III narcotic, possession (first offense) and possession with intent to sell or distribute. Steroids would fall under a schedule III description under Virginia law. In a previous video released by Manic several days before, she referred to steroids in Hart's car as being the reason for his arrest. Hart claimed that authorities have already discovered all is OK with his car and that it will be released back to "his company." Hart stated that he hoped to get the situation cleared up and get back to performing for fans as soon as possible, saying he was born to perform and make others happy.

Hart was released under house arrest, staying at an apartment that Montana had arranged for him, only to be taken back into custody for violating the rules of his house arrest on 3/4. Hart was released from that arrest on 3/19 and seven days later, was arrested again, on far more serious charges.

Hart has a 4/23 court date at 9 AM regarding the charges from his February arrest, so he'll be making back and back appearances in court that week as he has a 4/24 hearing for the stangulation charge.

Annis was released from his MLW contract in December 2019 after several requests to be cut loose from his contract.

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