Charles Ashton Jr.

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 following the altercation at the couple's home on Waikiki Street.

Police said the woman refused transport to the hospital for further treatment.

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.

Police officer Alyssa Mathews and a Butler Ambulance Service crew were called about 8:40 p.m. to the Ashton home, where they found the victim having difficulty breathing, according to court documents.

She told Mathews that her husband had thrown her to the ground and “strangled” her. Ashton, she said, pushed her down from behind, placed his hands around the back of her neck and choked her.

An argument “over a television station,” the woman recounted, precipitated the altercation, documents said.

One of the couple's children, who lives there, heard the argument and later saw the victim seated at the kitchen table “gasping for air,” according to a police affidavit.

The daughter called 911 after fearing the victim had “passed out,” the affidavit said. Authorities said the woman had no visible injuries.

Ashton left the home and drove away following the incident. He later returned to the house after police responded. He made no statement to police.

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