Derek Pope

A Butler man is accused of assaulting his girlfriend with a machete and choking her during a two-hour domestic dispute Tuesday at their home on the 600 block of Center Avenue

Derek S. Pope, 30, is being held in the Butler County Prison on multiple felonies.

Authorities said the victim, 21-year-old Alexzandria Burkett, was taken to Butler Memorial Hospital for treatment of injuries. Her condition was not known.

Butler police spoke to Burkett at the hospital where she told them Pope attacked her between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. She said that during that time he repeatedly struck her, according to court documents.

She said the assault started after she told him she was “going to leave and not stay at the house any more,” a police affidavit said.

During the alleged assault, Pope allegedly grabbed a machete and used it to stab and cut holes in a wall. He also is accused of cutting his girlfriend's arm with the large knife.

Burkett recounted that the defendant threw her down several times and at one point strangled her. Police said he also bit the woman.

Investigators described her injuries as cuts, severe swelling, bruises and bite marks. They also noted that Burkett was having a difficult time speaking to them because of the injuries to her neck.

She said she eventually managed to get away and drive to a home in Butler Township for help. But as she was driving away, documents said, Pope threw a brick at the vehicle, smashing the back window.

He also ripped off the rear driver's side door handle as he tried to get into the car before the victim's getaway.

Pope was arraigned on felony charges of aggravated assault and strangulation and a misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief. He is in the county prison on $75,000 bail while awaiting his preliminary hearing March 12.