Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.
Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. recently released a statement following his arrest. Pictured: Murphy Jr. at the 2014 Unbridled Eve Derby Gala during the 140th Kentucky Derby at Galt House Hotel & Suites on May 2, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. Getty Images/Mike Coppola

“America’s Got Talent” winner Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. recently explained that he was merely defending himself during an altercation with his girlfriend.

According to the Huffington Post, the Season 6 winner of the hit NBC reality TV competition was arrested on Monday and was booked into the Southwester Regional Jail in West Virginia that same night. He was charged with domestic battery and domestic assault after he allegedly struck his partner with a golf club after getting into an argument about their 6-month-old child, according to TMZ.

Read: Which contestant received the final golden buzzer from Heidi Klum in “America’s Got Talent?”

The same publication noted that Murphy slammed his girlfriend’s head on the sidewalk. She was later on treated at Logan Regional Medical Center. A rep for the Southwestern Regional Jail confirmed that Murphy was released on the same night on a $3,500 bond, but failed to provide further details.

Immediately after the incident, People reached out to Murphy and his manager for comment, but they have not given them any response. On Wednesday, July 12, Murphy released a statement to the Huffington Post, explaining his side of the story. “My girlfriend, her friends and family she had invited over have trashed the home. This happened several times previously while I was away on tour,” he said.

Murphy claimed that he asked everyone to leave, but they refused to do so. This then resulted to him and his girlfriend getting into a “heated argument.” “She then attacked me with a golf club and a knife. In defending myself, she obtained some bruises and swelling on her face. I did not strike her. She filed a complaint against me anyway. I was raised to respect women, and if not provoked or feeling I was in danger, I would never have defended myself in this manner. I am very sorry for the way the domestic incident was handled,” he added.

The professional singer has since apologized to his fans and acknowledged the fact that what transpired shouldn’t have happened in the first place. Murphy’s manager, Burke Allen, released a statement, saying, “When all the facts are out, it will be clear his actions were necessary and appropriate.”

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