CLARION BOROUGH, Pa. (EYT) — A Clarion man is behind bars after he allegedly grabbed a woman by the neck and threw her to the ground.
According to court documents, the Clarion Borough Police Department filed criminal charges against 63-year-old Leland A. Beighley, of Clarion.
The charges stem from an alleged assault that occurred sometime between Sunday, April 14, and Monday, April 15, at a residence located on South Fifth Avenue in Clarion Borough.
According to a criminal complaint, around 10:25 a.m. on Monday, April 15, Officer Wright, of the Clarion Borough Police Department, was dispatched to contact the Clarion Hospital emergency room by phone. Officer Wright was then informed by a hospital staff member that there was a woman in the emergency room who had been assaulted.
Officer Wright responded to the hospital where he spoke with the female victim.
According to the complaint, the victim advised that around 10:34 a.m. on Sunday, April 14, she was contacted by her boss to work on her day off. She reported that she told her boyfriend, Leland Beighley, that she was going into work, and Beighley then asked how she planned to get there. The victim said a coworker would pick her up, and Beighley allegedly became irate and yelled: “No man is picking you up.”
The victim then contacted her employer and stated that she could not come into work.
The victim went on to report that after she hung up the phone, Beighley grabbed her by the chin/neck area and threw her down. The victim stated that when she went to the ground, her right side struck the couch and end table, according to the complaint.
The complaint notes that Officer Wright observed scratches on the victim’s right side and took photographs as evidence. The victim also complained of severe pain in her right ribs and along her entire right side.
According to the complaint, while Officer Wright was speaking to the victim, the victim showed him that Beighley was texting her from a known number. Officer Wright observed a text from Beighley that said: “make sure you get a piddy party lier.” The victim replied: “I am at the hospital.” Beighley then asked: “should i watching for the cops.” Officer Wright obtained photos of the messages.
Officers Wright and Zerfoss then responded to Beighley’s address where Officer Wright knocked and made contact with Beighley. Beighley was advised why the officers were there.
The complaint notes Beightley advised, “She’s lying, that fat b***** fell.”
Beighley was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Duane L. Quinn at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, April 15, on the following charges:
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2
– Harassment — Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary
– Disorderly Conduct Engage in Fighting, Summary
Unable to post $5,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Clarion County Jail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 30, with Judge Quinn presiding.
