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Jury chosen in Long Branch criminal case

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Jury selection began Monday in Washington County Court for the trial of a man charged in connection with a domestic dispute in March 2017 in the Mon Valley community of Long Branch.

Frank William Ruperto, 51, faces a felony charge of strangulation and misdemeanor charges of simple assault, making terroristic threats and endangering the welfare of a child.    

Court records list Ruperto’s address as both Coal Center and Washington.

California Borough police were called just after 1:30 a.m. March 25, 2017, to a home on Walnut Street that has a Coal Center mailing address.

According to court records, Ruperto, who was intoxicated, was no longer at the home after allegedly pointing a .45-caliber handgun and threatening to kill Janice Ruperto and Samantha Hicks in the presence of a 9-month-old baby girl. 

Police allege that Frank Ruperto put Hicks in a headlock and struck her and slammed a door on Janice Ruperto.

Testimony is scheduled to begin Tuesday morning before Judge Gary Gilman. Assistant District Attorney Craig McKay is prosecuting Ruperto, who is represented by defense attorney Christopher Blackwell.

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