Evicted couple attacks landlord with screwdriver while he changes locks, PA cops say
A landlord was hit with a sledgehammer and stabbed with a screwdriver, Pennsylvania police said, by two tenants who were recently evicted, local news outlets report.
Jason Goshorn and Ashely, Zellers, both of Newport, were arrested July 17 on charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault, criminal trespassing, and harassment, court records show.
Attorney information for Goshorn and Zellers was not available.
State police responded at about 2:30 p.m. July 17 to reports of an assault at a residence in Miller township, WHTM reported.
Authorities found the landlord of the property stabbed with a screwdriver and hit with a sledgehammer, the outlet reported.
The landlord said he evicted the couple July 8 and was there to change the locks, but was unable to enter through the front door, PennLive reported, citing court documents.
He told police he removed a window air conditioning unit to gain access through the window and that’s when he was attacked, the outlet reported.
The couple denied using a screwdriver or sledgehammer in the attack, PennLive reported.
Police spoke with witnesses who confirmed the landlord’s story, WHP reported.
Both Goshorn and Zellers are being held at Perry County Prison.
They were denied bail due to the nature of the charges, court records show.
A preliminary hearing for the duo is scheduled for July 30.
Miller Township is about a 130-mile drive northwest from Philadelphia.
This story was originally published July 18, 2024 at 3:18 PM with the headline "Evicted couple attacks landlord with screwdriver while he changes locks, PA cops say."
