PAINT TWP., Pa. (EYT) — A Shippenville couple are facing charges after a domestic dispute turned violent late Saturday night.
Court documents indicate the Clarion-based State Police filed criminal charges against 47-year-old Richard Lewis Ganci Jr. and 39-year-old Sherry Lynn Ganci, both of Shippenville.
According to a criminal complaint, around 9:56 p.m. on Saturday, March 10, Trooper Fluke was dispatched to an inactive domestic incident at a residence on 28th Division Highway in Paint Township. Sherry Lynn Ganci requested PSP and stated she was struck in the head by her husband, and she had walked to a neighbor’s house.
The complaint states that around 10:07 p.m., Troopers Pettis and Fluke arrived at the scene, along with Trooper Doverspike and Corporal Yockey. Sherry Ganci was in the driveway at a neighbor’s apartment. While talking with her, the troopers noticed a significant sized raised bruise/bump on her right eyebrow. She told the troopers she was in bed after she and her husband, Richard Lewis Ganci Jr., had engaged in a verbal altercation. When Richard Ganci walked into the room, he threw a fan. She said that she threw a lamp, and he proceeded to pull her hair. She said she then pulled his hair, which was when he struck her in the face with his hand.
Trooper Fluke made contact with Richard Ganci around 10:12 p.m. in the residence. Richard Ganci said that Sherry Ganci “came at” him with a frying pan, and when she tried to strike him in the head with it, he put his hand up in defense, and the pan cut him on his left thumb. Trooper Fluke observed the bandage covering his left thumb. Richard Ganci also stated he pushed her back after that, and she threw the fan and lamp, breaking them both. He said that she grabbed the back of his head, by his hair, so he pulled her hair in return. He told police he never hit her, according to the complaint.
Based on the investigation, both individuals were arraigned at 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 11, in Magisterial District Judge Timothy P. Schill’s office on the following charges:
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 1
– Harassment — Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary
Richard Ganci was lodged in the Clarion County Jail on $5,000.00 monetary bail on March 11; however, he is free after his bail was posted by a professional bondsman on Tuesday, March 13.
Sherry Ganci remains lodged in the Clarion County Jail on $5,000.00 monetary bail.
Preliminary hearings are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20, with Judge Schill presiding.
