Man Arrested For Strangling His Girlfriend To Death, But Claims It Was Consented By Her As Part Of A Sexual Act

Scott Greenberg, a 27-year-old Florida man was jailed Tuesday after he allegedly strangled his girlfriend to death, then told police that the woman had consented to being strangled as part of a sexual act.

According to St. Petersburg Police, emergency responders rushed to the couple's room at the Kenwood Inn hotel after Greenberg called 911 and stated that he "accidentally" strangled his girlfriend to death.

During a police interview, Greenberg told detectives that he accidentally strangled his girlfriend, 26-year-old Jennifer Zale, as part of a sex act that involved choking her for sexual pleasure. Greenberg added that the couple had engaged in the act previously and that it was consensual.

Detectives believe the woman was dead for at least 8 hours prior to their arrival. The length of the couple's relationship is unknown, however, Greenberg has an extensive criminal record and was recently released from prison this past May.

Greenberg was arrested and charged with manslaughter while investigators waited for autopsy results.

Detectives amended the manslaughter charge to murder Wednesday after an autopsy revealed that Zale had received numerous injuries "consistent with continuous and intentional homicide violence."

Greenberg is now being held in the Pinellas County Jail on a charge of second-degree murder. His bond has been set at $500,000.