Ex-Liberty Lake councilman accused of domestic violence

A former Liberty Lake city councilman was arrested Saturday after his estranged wife told police he’d assaulted her while still in office. Brian A. Sayrs, 41, is charged with second-degree assault for an alleged incident in March at a home he shared with his wife in Liberty Lake. Sayrs had served on the council since Liberty Lake was formed in 2001 and was Mayor Pro Tem when he resigned April 14. He’d missed six council meetings since his failed bid for Spokane County commissioner in November and hadn’t called to explain his last two absences. Sayrs declined comment after he appeared in Spokane Superior Court Judge Jerome Leveque’s courtroom Monday. He was in Spokane County Jail for about 10 hours before posting $2,000 bond early Sunday. His arrest came nearly a week after his estranged wife reported the assault to the Liberty Lake Police Department, according to a probable cause affidavit. The woman said she and Sayrs were arguing over day care issues March 25 when he ripped a phone out of her hands, then blocked her from leaving the room before hurling a porcelain dinner plate at her head, according to the affidavit. Sayrs told her it was an accident, she said. The woman, a physician, received six stitches on her head the next day but told hospital staff she’d fallen down the stairs. After the alleged fight, Sayrs said he’d “just ended my life” and that he needed to leave because police were required to make an arrest in domestic violence cases, the woman told police. The couple sought marriage counseling, but Sayrs’ wife said he “became enraged on having to attend” and she filed for divorce soon after, according to the affidavit. They had been married for 10 years. Sayrs’ arraignment is set for Sept. 14.