A Schuylkill County man was jailed on terroristic threats and assault charges after police say he threatened to kill a woman with a kitchen knife, struck her, and spit in her face during an argument earlier this week.
The victim told Schuylkill Haven police the dispute followed a day in which Marc Dougherty, 53, had been calling and yelling at Republican senators. Police say they were dispatched to the 100 block of N. Berne St. on May 11 for a report of an active domestic dispute involving a knife, at which point Dougherty fled the residence in a vehicle but was stopped by police a short distance away.
Police say tensions further escalated when Dougherty became frustrated because he needed to use the home’s single bathroom, which was occupied by the victim’s daughter. Text messages shown to police indicated Dougherty grew progressively angry over the bathroom delay, police say.
The victim told police Dougherty came downstairs and began screaming at her. According to the victim, Dougherty went into the kitchen, retrieved a large kitchen knife, and approached within 5 feet of her while screaming, “I’m gonna kill you right now.”
The victim told police she screamed back, at which point Dougherty threw the knife aggressively across the room. The victim said Dougherty then approached her as she sat on the couch and covered her face. Dougherty struck her on the forehead with an open palm and spit directly in her face, the victim told police. The victim began screaming that she was calling police, and Dougherty left.
Witnesses, including neighbors and the victim’s daughter, corroborated hearing parts of the dispute. Neighbors told police they heard Dougherty screaming at politicians on the phone all day, followed by a screaming match where the victim yelled about Dougherty trying to stab her. Neighbors also told police they heard the victim say, “you just spit on me.”
When interviewed by police, Dougherty admitted to yelling at politicians and arguing about the bathroom. Police say Dougherty openly admitted to spitting in the victim’s face. However, Dougherty denied possessing a knife during the incident or threatening to kill the victim, police say. Dougherty told police the victim had previously threatened to harm herself with a knife, and that he told her to do it out of frustration.
Police noted that a knife was missing from a kitchen block inside the home, though they did not locate the missing knife at the scene.
Dougherty is charged with misdemeanor terroristic threats, misdemeanor simple assault, and summary harassment. He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker late Monday afternoon and sent to Schuylkill County Prison on $25,000 bail.
Schuylkill County Crisis & Support Resources
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence, free, confidential, and inclusive help is available 24/7 in Schuylkill County.
- Schuylkill Hope Center (Domestic Violence): Call the 24/7 hotline at (570) 622-6220, text HOPELINE to 20121, or visit schopecenter.org. Services include emergency shelter, housing assistance, counseling, and legal representation.
- SARCC (Sexual Assault): Call the 24/7 hotline at (570) 628-2965 or visit sarccheals.org for counseling, advocacy, and healing support for survivors of sexual violence.
- Outside Schuylkill County: Residents across Pennsylvania can find their local domestic violence program at pcadv.org. You can also visit domesticshelters.org to find resources near you.
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