Assault charges dismissed against East Bethlehem man
Prosecutors plan to ask state police to refile charges against an East Bethlehem man in an alleged attack against his pregnant wife after they were dismissed Monday.
Charges were filed against Jerry M. Murray, 31, stemming from a Feb. 1 incident in which he allegedly punched his wife, Kristen A. Lewis, at their home on Frederick Terrace. Washington County First Assistant District Attorney Dennis Paluso, who was at the preliminary hearing before District Judge Joshua Kanalis, said the magistrate waited about 90 minutes and then verified that state Trooper Chad Weaver, who filed the charges, wouldn’t attend the proceeding. Kanalis dismissed the charges over an objection from the prosecution.
It was unclear why the trooper was unable to appear for the hearing.
Lewis was present but refused to testify, Paluso said.
State police allegedly found a handgun and baggies of suspected marijuana and pills when they caught Murray, whom they said fled the home. He faced charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, terroristic threats, firearms violations, drug offenses, reckless endangerment, flight and resisting arrest.
Paluso said his office plans to send state police a letter requesting the appropriate charges be refiled.