Charles Ashton Jr. of Penn Township, charged with strangling wife at their home.

PENN TWP — An argument over television apparently sparked a domestic dispute Monday night during which a 71-year-old man allegedly strangled his wife, authorities said.

Penn Township police arrested Charles E. Ashton Jr. and paramedics tended to his 65-year-old wife but she refused transport to the hospital for further treatment, following the altercation at the couple's home.

Ashton was arraigned on a felony charge of strangulation, a misdemeanor charge of simple assault and a summary charge of harassment. He was later released on his own recognizance.

Ashton faces a preliminary hearing tentatively set for May 9 at the office of District Judge Sue Haggerty in Saxonburg.

A full story appears in the Butler Eagle.