ALBANY (AP) -- New York lawmakers have approved legislation establishing that squeezing someone's throat or covering their nose and mouth to block their breathing is a new felony crime of strangulation.
Sponsors say such assaults are common in domestic violence cases. But since they aren't specifically addressed in the penal law, attackers too often have been convicted of low-level crimes like menacing or harassment.
As well as being potentially lethal, victim advocates say abusers use it to silence and intimidate victims.
The legislation passed Thursday still needs Gov. David Paterson's signature. It would also establish a misdemeanor crime of obstructing someone's breathing or blood circulation. Paterson's administration had also introduced a version of the bill.
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