A man in Butler County Prison facing assault charges was unable to convince a judge Monday to reduce his bail.

Bradley R. Smith, 35, of Butler, who is being held on $50,000 bail, made an appearance via a video conference in Judge Timothy McCune's courtroom. He is charged with a felony count of strangulation and aggravated assault and a misdemeanor count of simple assault and terroristic threats.

Arguing for a reduction to his bail, Smith's lawyer Charles Nedz said that Smith would not reach out to the victim and that Smith would participate in pretrial supervision. He also noted that Smith is employed.

Police arrested Smith Feb. 6 for allegedly choking a woman in an apartment in the 200 block of East Brady Street. The woman recounted that he “put his hands around her neck,” documents said, “causing her to have difficulty breathing.”

Smith originally was charged with two counts related to the arrest, but Assistant District Attorney Ben Simon, who is prosecuting the case, noted that Smith held a knife to the woman's throat during the fight, leading to the addition of two charges.

Smith will be formally arraigned April 9.