JEFFERSON CO., Pa. (EYT) — State police have filed criminal charges against a 15-year-old boy following a domestic altercation that occurred on Tuesday afternoon at a residence in Oliver Township, Jefferson County.
According to court documents, on December 6, Punxsutawney-based State Police filed criminal charges in Magisterial District Judge Douglas Robert Chambers’ office against 15-year-old Joshua Christopher Courtney, of Sprankle Mills (located between Brookville and Punxsutawney), on the following charges:
– Criminal Attempt — Murder Of The First Degree, (classified as H1)
– Aggravated Assault, Felony 1
– Aggravated Assault, Felony 2
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2 (two counts)
According to a criminal complaint, around 1:45 p.m. on December 5, PSP-Punxsutawney Corporal Andrew Brothers and Troopers Dana Mosier and Rex Hunter were dispatched to 2016 Sprankle Mills Road, in Oliver Township, for a domestic altercation.
It is alleged that Joshua Christopher Courtney stabbed a 48-year-old woman.
Upon the officers’ arrival at the scene, they made contact with the victim who had apparent injuries to her head and a stab wound to her right shoulder near her neck. They then made contact with Courtney who was making statements in their presence that “he was hearing voices in his head that were telling him to kill the victim, and he thought that he did kill her by stabbing her,” the complaint states.
According to the complaint, around 2:30 p.m. on December 5, Trooper Weaver interviewed the victim. She stated that she was at her house, and Courtney approached her with a steak knife. He held the knife to her throat, and she attempted to get away. He began to strike her on the head and in the face. He then stabbed her in her right shoulder. She got away from Courtney and contacted emergency services for help.
Trooper Weaver observed the victim with injuries to her head and a stab wound to her right shoulder, the complaint indicates.
Trooper Weaver interviewed a Jefferson County EMT around 2:50 p.m. He indicated that he received a phone call from the victim around 1:42 p.m., stating that she had been stabbed by Courtney, and she needs help. He responded to the scene and observed the victim with injuries to her head and a stab wound to her shoulder. Medical attention was provided to the victim, and she was transported to Punxsutawney Hospital for treatment of her injuries and then transferred to Allegheny General Hospital.
Around 3:00 p.m. on December 5, Trooper Weaver spoke briefly with Troopers Mosier and Hunter; both related that they heard Courtney make statements that he was hearing voices in his head which were instructing him to kill the victim and he stabbed the victim. Courtney made statements that he thought that he did kill the victim, according to the complaint.
Trooper Theodore Horner, PSP Forensic Services Unit, responded to the scene. He observed an excessive amount of blood throughout the residence and seized two knives with suspected blood on each knife. The items were secured and entered into evidence at PSP Punxsutawney, the complaint continues.
Based on the information gathered during the investigation, Trooper Weaver believes there is overwhelming evidence to believe that Courtney is responsible for committing the alleged criminal offenses, according to the complaint.
According to police, the victim is in stable condition.
Police say Courtney is currently being treated at Children’s Hospital pending a mental health evaluation.
The status of the case is inactive, pending a preliminary hearing.
