Schuylkill County Man Charged with Attacking His Wife’s Boyfriend

A Schuylkill County man who reportedly told police that he’s in a polyamorous relationship with his wife and her boyfriend is a facing assault and harassment charges following an alleged attack on the boyfriend earlier this week.

According to court documents, police in Tamaqua were called to a home on Cedar St. on the night of April 7 for a report of a fight in progress. Schuylkill County 9-1-1 dispatchers told police that they could hear the altercation taking place in the background.

When police arrived, they were met by a woman outside the home who reportedly told them nothing was happening. She then ran inside and police followed behind her.

Inside, police say they heard a woman yelling from the top of the stairs that Justin – later identified as the accused in this case, 33-year-old Justin Gray – had just attacked his wife’s boyfriend.

Police then went to the attic of the home and saw Gray walking back and forth and yelling. Gray had blood on his shirt and reportedly told police that he’d just punched his wife’s boyfriend.

The victim of the alleged assault was out of view of police at first but when he sat up, police say his face was covered in blood. Gray was then placed in cuffs and detained in a patrol vehicle.

While in custody, Gray reportedly explained to police that he, his wife, and the victim are in a polyamorous relationship, one where married partners may have multiple romantic or sexual partners.

He reportedly said the attack was prompted by a phone call from his wife’s family earlier that night regarding things the boyfriend had said about his wife “running around and cheating” on them.

Later, police say Gray confronted the boyfriend about what he’d allegedly said. The boyfriend allegedly tried to tackle Gray but another man attempted to break it up. Gray then allegedly punched the boyfriend in the face and then kicked him while he was on the ground.

Police say the boyfriend had a two-inch laceration below his eye and was taken to St. Luke’s Miners Memorial Hospital in Coaldale for treatment of his injuries.

Gray was arraigned before District Magistrate Judge Anthony Kilker and charged with simple assault, a misdemeanor, and harassment, a summary offense. Kilker set bail at 10% of $10,000 and Gray was briefly held in Schuylkill County Prison before being released after posting bail the next day.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled before Judge Stephen Bayer on April 22.

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