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A Muncy man faces charges of strangulation and simple assault after a concerned neighbor reported hearing a significant amount of screaming coming from an apartment in the 30 block of South Main Street in Muncy Borough shortly before 9:30 p.m. Oct. 21.
Screaming and loud banging noises were heard by authorities arriving at the scene, who were initially unsuccessful in gaining entry, at which point additional units were requested to respond.
A female alleged victim ultimately answered the door and explained that the inciting incident began earlier in the week, and though upset, she had difficulty expressing why. It was due to that inability that Joel Michael Shilling, 26, of 36 Main St., Apt. 3, Muncy Borough, allegedly began striking her, a borough police affidavit said.
Shilling allegedly pushed the alleged victim to the ground several times, before punching her in the face, after which that altercation ceased.
The alleged victim stated that on the night in question, Shilling had asked her to do the dishes, but that she was tired and cold, and after sitting on the couch, Shilling allegedly pulled her off and began to hold her down.
Shilling then allegedly began to choke the alleged victim, covering her nose and mouth, before attempting to throw her down some steps, though she was able to stop that from happening, she told police according to court documents.
During questioning by police, Shilling related that the alleged victim was "having one of her attacks" and "acting out," by banging her head against the wall, hitting him, and punching and kicking the walls.
Shilling allegedly admitted to holding the alleged victim down, relating he had done so because she had been hitting him as well. Marks on the inside of his forearms were observed by police, they noted in court filings.
Asked about marks and slight bruising observed on the alleged victim, Shilling said that his hands may have gotten close to her neck.
Authorities also noted several areas of bruising on the alleged victim's arms, face, eye, back of her neck/shoulders and the upper side of her chest, they noted in the report.
Shilling was taken into custody on a detainer issued by the county Adult Probation Office, and subsequently arraigned by District Judge Kirsten Gardner and jailed at the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $35,000 bail.