U of M professor arrested for domestic assault

Nearly a dozen confused students watched as police asked Nordbye to step into the hallway, said Mason Nolen, an 18-year-old freshmen taking the Thursday afternoon class. 

“The police were really nice,†Nolen said. “I didn’t see them do it, but I could hear them handcuff him … They didn’t tell us what was happening. We sat there ‘til our class was over.â€Â 

Nordbye was arrested for domestic assault of his wife. At press time, it is unknown if Nordbye has been or will be charged with a crime in connection to his arrest. He has not returned to teach at the University of Memphis since his arrest. An email to Nordbye’s students from the Department of Art said Nordbye would be back the week of Feb. 27. 

Nordbye allegedly got into an argument with his wife at their home on Feb. 12, according to the Memphis Police Department. When his wife tried to walk away, Nordbye allegedly grabbed her from behind and slammed the left side of her face into a wooden cabinet, knocking her glasses off, police said. Nordbye’s wife had a bruise and scratch above her left eye, police said. 

Nordbye’s son told police he heard the argument from his bedroom, police said. When he tried to walk out into the hallway, Nordbye allegedly pushed him in the chest back into his room, police said. 

Nordbye’s wife called Memphis city police from inside their van with her son, police said. Nordbye was not at home when police arrived.

Nordbye said suspects are innocent until proven guilty. 

“Regardless of what someone is charged with, there’s always the possibility that the charges are completely mistaken, or that there are extenuating circumstances around the charges,†Nordbye said. “We all have trials and tribulations of sorts that go throughout our lives. When our difficulties cross a legal threshold, it enters into a strange, different kind of world.â€

Nordbye said the justice system wants to get people booked, no matter if they are guilty or not.

“Police make judgments too often deciding who is guilty and who is innocent, and they treat people who are suspects as if they were convicted,†Nordbye said. “I felt like I was treated like a convicted criminal instead of a professional member of the educational academic community who has a charge brought against him.â€Â 

“I think people are falsely accused of crimes all the time and should be treated with dignity and respect,†Nordbye said. “But the way our criminal justice system works, that is very rarely the case.â€Â 

Nordbye said U of M police should have handled his arrest differently.

“I felt like the whole process was extremely humiliating and embarrassing, and it didn’t need to be done that way,†Nordbye said. “If I would’ve received a phone call saying, ‘Hey, come down to the police station,’ I gladly would have.â€

As far as his standing with the university, Nordbye is confident he will return.

“I’ve spoken to members of the administration at the university, and they expressed regret on how things were handled,†Nordbye said.

Richard Lou, chair of the Department of Art, would not answer Helmsman questions about Nordbye’s employment status. However, in an email to Nordbye’s students, Lou said the professor would be back. 

“Your instructor Cedar Nordbye will be out this week. However, class will continue to meet at their regular meeting times,†Lou said. “If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.â€Â 

Mitchell Koch and Jonathan Capriel contributed to this story.