Police charge couple with intimidation
From left, James Andrew Burnsworth and Samantha Lee Howes
James Burnsworth
Samantha Howes
An East Bethlehem Township man, already facing charges for assaulting his girlfriend and her daughter last month at his home, is facing intimidation charges along with the girlfriend after he reportedly forced her to persuade her daughter not to testify against him at his preliminary hearing.
James Andrew Burnsworth, 39, and his girlfriend, Samantha Lee Howes, 37, both of 34 Taylor Ave., Clarksville, face charges of intimidation, retaliation or obstruction in child abuse cases, intimidating a witness to withhold information, intimidation of a witness by failing to testify and intimidating a witness into failing to appear.
Burnsworth was arrested March 6 on two counts each of simple assault and harassment for allegedly grabbing Howes by the neck and twice slamming her to the floor. He also is accused of grabbing Howes’ daughter by the neck, slamming her to the ground and biting her. He was arraigned on those charges before District Judge James Ellis and placed in Washington County jail on $2,500 bond.
Neither Howes nor the girl appeared for a March 21 hearing on the assault charges. The hearing was continued for a week. When police Chief Mark Pompe went to the home to serve Howes and the girl subpoenas to appear, neither would answer the door, police said.
Burnsworth allegedly had been calling Howes in an attempt to get the girl not to show up to testify against him. He also allegedly wanted Howes to tell the judge she was the one who bruised her daughter. In return, police said he promised Howes he would get the girl a car and put the house in Howes’ name. Burnsworth allegedly told Howes that if her daughter didn’t “play ball,” she would have to leave the house.
Burnsworth was arraigned last week on the charges before Kanalis, who set bond at $25,000. Howes was arraigned Monday before Kanalis and placed in jail on $25,000 bond. They are to appear April 18 before Kanalis for a preliminary hearing on the charges.