The son of a Schuylkill County woman recalled the moment he was attacked with a katana-style sword last year during a preliminary hearing in District Court on Tuesday.
Israel Santiago, 60, then of Frackville and now living in Reading is facing felony charges of strangulation and aggravated assault as well as two counts of misdemeanor simple assault after he allegedly attacked a woman in a domestic violence incident at her home in Minersville and then went after her son with a sword.
Those charges were held for Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas following a preliminary hearing Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge David Plachko.
During that hearing, Pedro Carmeante, the victim’s son, testified that he arrived at his mother’s home on Oct. 6, 2024, after learning that Santiago had allegedly attacked his mother.
When he entered his mother’s home, he said he could tell his mother had been injured. Carmeante said he saw that his mother’s neck had scratches and hand marks on it.
He remembered telling his mother, “You know he’s gotta leave. He’s gotta go.”
“I’m not going to have someone coming over abusing my mother,” Carmeante told Assistant District Attorney David Noon.
He then said he confronted Santiago and said, “You hit a mother; now you’re going to talk to a man.”
During an initial confrontation, Carmeante said Santiago took a swing at him. After slipping, he said Santiago connected with jaw.
Santiago then went to a shed and came out with a mallet, Carmeante said. Carmeante said he threw Santiago out of the shed and told him he needed to leave but that demand was ignored.
“He kept running his mouth,” he testified.
Santiago then allegedly went back into the shed and this time came out with a katana-style sword, about three feet long.
Carmeante said Santiago charged toward him and slashed in a downward motion two or three times, but never connecting.
Eventually, Santiago ran from the scene, Carmeante testified.
In other testimony, Marisol Viera said she was attacked by Santiago prior to that sword attack on her son.
She said that they were “arguing about a secret” she knew existed between Santiago and his brother.
The argument turned physical and she said that Santiago had her in a vulnerable and defenseless position at the kitchen sink in her home. She said that Santiago had her in a chokehold during his attack.
“He always chokes with two hands,” Viera testified.
She also said that a relationship existed between the two for about 13 years and described that time as “hell.”
Viera also testified to witnessing Santiago’s sword attack on her son.
Subscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...