EDITOR’S UPDATE: On Oct. 10, the woman in this article who told police she’d been attacked by Casella reportedly admitted to police that she made it up and has since been thrown in jail. Read that story here: Schuylkill County Woman Jailed for Faking Assault Claim That Landed Boyfriend in Jail
A Schuylkill County man was jailed Thursday morning after police say he attacked a woman with a pair of garden shears and then choked her.
Police in Pottsville say they were dispatched to the emergency room of Lehigh Valley Hospital shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday to speak with the victim of an alleged assault.
At the ER, police say they spoke with the victim who reported that John Casella, 34, of Pottsville, had attacked her late Tuesday night. Casella reportedly became angry because the victim told him to gather his belongings and leave her residence.
That’s when Casella allegedly grabbed a pair of gardening shears, said “I’m going to stab you in the neck” and then took a swing at her. The victim told police that she tried to block Casella’s attempt to hit her with the shears and they struck her in the arm, puncturing the skin and causing bleeding.
As the victim retreated to the bathroom to escape Casella’s attack, he followed her into the room, police report. Casella threw the victim to the floor and allegedly choked her with both hands until she lost consciousness.
The victim told police that once she regained consciousness, she fled the residence in fear for her life. She also told police that she didn’t contact them immediately because Casella had previously attacked her and she was in fear for her life, police report.
Casella was taken into custody and has been charged with felony counts of strangulation and aggravated assault, along with misdemeanor counts of simple assault and making terroristic threats. Police also charged him with a summary count of harassment.
Casella was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli Thursday morning. Tarantelli set bail at $25,000 cash and Casella was remanded to Schuylkill County Prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 13 before Judge James Reiley.
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