BROOKVILLE BOROUGH, Pa. (EYT) – A Brookville man is facing criminal charges related to an incident where he allegedly assaulted a woman, shoving and kicking her, then held a broken record to her neck and threatened to kill her, himself, and everyone else in the household.
Court documents indicate the Punxsutawney Borough Police Department filed criminal charges against 41-year-old Eric Matthew Brotherton.
According to a criminal complaint, around 6:37 p.m. on November 14, Punxsutawney Borough Police received a report of a domestic incident from a known female victim.
According to the complaint, the victim, whom police noted had obvious bruises under both eyes, and a blood mark above her left eyebrow, reported that she and her son were putting plastic up on the windows of a residence to winterize when Eric Brotherton became upset “for no reasons,” and began tearing down the plastic and breaking items in the house.
The victim told police that Brotherton then started attacking her by shoving her and kicking her, and then held a broken record to her neck and threatened to kill her, himself, and the two children in the residence. He also allegedly threatened to burn the house down and said he “would not be living past this evening.” The victim was then able to break free and went to the police station.
The complaint notes that the victim was also found to have bruises under both of her arms, as well as red marks under her neck consistent with marks created by someone running a sharp object, such as a broken record, on her throat.
Punxsutawney Borough Police then contacted Punxsutawney-based State Police for assistance and began attempting to make contact with Brotherton.
According to the complaint, the victim also told police that Brotherton has a .45 caliber handgun and had threatened to use it against police and on himself in the past. She also reported Brotherton was holding an ax that he said he would use to harm others and might be outdoors at the fire he said he was going to make to burn all of their belongings.
Police then responded to the residence, where the complaint notes they found a large fire in the back yard.
The complaint states Brotherton came out of the residence and was then taken into custody for both his own safety and the safety of officers at the scene.
When questioned about the incident, Brotherton reportedly told police that he and the victim were arguing earlier in the evening and said he “threatened to commit suicide and kill every to upset (the victim).” He reportedly stated he would “play the manipulation game if needed so he would not be 302’ed,” referring to emergency involuntary psychiatric examination and treatment, according to the complaint.
Brotherton said he started to break items because the victim was already breaking items in the house. He allegedly had a small red mark on his left cheek that he claimed was from the victim.
The complaint notes that the victim reported that to get away from Brotherton, she did try to shove him away.
Brotherton was then transported for a 302 psychiatric evaluation due to admitting to suicidal thoughts and his plan to kill everyone in the household. He was also informed he was being placed under arrest for terroristic threats and simple assault.
Brotherton was also found to have open cuts on his hands that he said were from punching a picture frame, the complaint states.
At the police station, Brotherton was placed in a holding cell, and all items that could be used for a potential suicide attempted were removed. A Crisis delegate then spoke to Brotherton and ruled he was not fit for a 302 commitment.
Brotherton was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline J. Mizerock at 2:30 p.m. on November 25, on the following charges:
– Terroristic Threats with Intent to Terrorize Another, Misdemeanor 1
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2
Unable to post $60,000.00 (10%) monetary bail, he was lodged in the Jefferson County Jail.
He was released on December 3, after his bail type was changed to unsecured.
A preliminary hearing was continued on December 3 and has not yet been rescheduled.
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