Basil Luchkiw

CLEARFIELD TWP — A township man already facing trial in four unrelated assault cases is now accused of strangling his fiancée during a weekend domestic dispute at the couple's home on Criley Road.

Basil A. Luchkiw Jr., 36, was arraigned on felony and other charges, and released on $30,000 unsecured bail.

Police said they were called Saturday to Butler Health System FasterCare in Butler Township, where they spoke to the victim.

She allegedly told troopers that Luchkiw had assaulted her around 5 p.m. that day at their home in Clearfield Township.

The woman recounted that the defendant became angry and struck her in the face with the back of his hand, according to court documents.

He also allegedly punched her in the face and hit her on the mouth with the palm of his hand.

Police described the victim's injuries as “severe bruising” near her mouth and eye and “red marks and scratches” on her neck.

A trooper asked the woman if the defendant grabbed her neck during the alleged assault.

“She reported she did not know because she was so frightened,” according to the trooper's affidavit.

Police charged him with strangulation, a felony, which is defined under state law as intentionally impeding the breathing of someone by applying pressure to the throat or neck.

He also is charged with simple assault, a misdemeanor, and harassment, a summary.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled April 23 at the office of District Judge Lewis Stoughton in Chicora.

Court records showed that Luchkiw has four pending cases in Butler County court, including a Feb. 13 incident in which he allegedly broke into a home in Summit Township and struck a man there in the head with a living room lamp. He is charged with felony and misdemeanor assault, burglary, trespass and harassment.

In each of the other three pending cases, he is charged with misdemeanor assault and harassment.