A Center Township man accused of strangling his wife saw the charge reduced from a felony.

Free after posting $25,000 bond, Ian McLaughlin, 33, waived his preliminary hearing Tuesday before District Judge Lewis Stoughton.

Assistant District Attorney David Beichner reduced the strangulation charge to a second-degree misdemeanor, instead of a second-degree felony. Counts of misdemeanor simple assault and summary harassment remained unchanged and were moved forward.

Additionally, a condition of McLaughlin’s bond was to refrain from having any contact with his wife, Mandy, who accused him of hitting and strangling her on the night of Feb. 19.

Mandy McLaughlin was asked in open court her opinion on the matter. She said did not have any issue with the condition being lifted. She said she did not feel threatened or endangered if the two were to have contact in the future.

A formal arraignment is scheduled for June 7 in Butler County Common Pleas Court.