Peters man now faces strangulation charge in addition to assault, threats allegations
A Peters Township man arrested last week by township police on charges of simple assault and terroristic threats was arraigned for a second time in four days after a charge of strangulation was added to the criminal complaint at the direction of a Washington County assistant district attorney.
James Ruane, 57, of 320 Lincoln Drive, is accused of assaulting his wife, Kathryn Ruane, at their home Aug. 1. She told police he was angry she had talked to a neighbor. He allegedly tore her shirt, put his hands on her throat and threatened to kill her.
Assistant District Attorney Kristin Clingerman reportedly directed police to add the strangulation charge. She also suggested he be reviewed by pretrial services before any release on bond.
Ruane was arraigned Friday before District Judge David Mark on the charges outlined in the new criminal complaint. Mark set bond at $100,000. Ruane had been in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond since his arrest. He is scheduled for an Aug. 15 preliminary hearing before District Judge James Ellis.