SLIPPERY ROCK — Two charges were dismissed at a preliminary hearing Wednesday, July 5, for a man accused of holding a woman against her will in a Franklin Township motel room in May.

Robert L. Miller, 50, of West Sunbury, was stabbed in the neck during the altercation at the Longhorn Corral by Amber R. Wallace, 42, of Butler, who claimed self-defense, police said. State police charged him May 13 with misdemeanors simple assault, false imprisonment, making terroristic threats, and use and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The two charges of simple assault against Miller were dropped by District Judge Joseph Nash following Wednesday’s testimony.

Wallace was also charged with misdemeanors of use and possession of drug paraphernalia following the incident, and her preliminary hearing is scheduled July 12. She was not charged in the stabbing.

Trooper Matthew Lesnett, of Troop D, Butler barrack, testified he and his partner responded to a call at the Longhorn Corral in Franklin Township around 12:50 a.m.

Upon arrival, Miller was seated on a bench outside the motel room, and it was clear he needed medical attention.

“Originally (Miller) was wearing a white T-shirt. From where we were parked, it looked like he was wearing a red shirt,” Lesnett said.

Lesnett added that Wallace was discovered in the bathroom, where she was also covered in blood and injured.

“Her face looked like she’d been badly beaten,” he said. “There was blood in her teeth, her lips were split, her face and eyes were bruised.”

Both were transported to separate hospitals, documents showed.

During cross examination, defense attorney Joel Hills asked Lesnett how hard he would punch someone if he were stabbed.

Beichner objected to the question as being “argumentative,” to which Hills followed up by asking if it was clear a fight had occurred between the two. Lesnett answered that it was.

Codi Walker, a detective with state police and lead investigator in the case, testified that she interviewed Miller and Wallace on May 13.

She said the two had very similar stories, up until the altercation escalated.

According to Walker, the two bought drugs and smoked them. Miller said he had been concerned that Wallace had switched the drugs and was poisoning him with powdered glucose.

He also told the investigator that he accused Wallace of cheating and that he observed people outside the room, tampering with his vehicle.

Wallace’s story suggested that Miller had been hallucinating, according to Walker.

“(Miller) said he did stop her from leaving ... he did stab the wall near the door and did threaten her, but he did not stab her,” Walker said.

A hole consistent with a knife was found near the door in the motel room, Lesnett testified.

Walker said when she interviewed Wallace, Miller’s blood was still covering her.

“(Wallace) said he grabbed her by the head and beat it against the window, telling her to get the guys outside to leave,” she said.

Miller then chained and locked the door, preventing Wallace from leaving, Walker said. He next stabbed the wall, slicing his hand, the officer said.

Miller allegedly held a steak knife to the Wallace’s throat and said he would stab her on the count of three. As he counted, Walker said Wallace took a folding knife and stabbed him in the neck.

After being stabbed, Miller threw Wallace to the ground and punched her, Walker said. Wallace told the officer she then tried to stab him in the side before barricading herself in the bathroom.

Walker said Wallace then called 911 with Miller’s phone, since he had damaged hers.

“(Wallace) was held against her will,” Walker said. “She was acting against her will she believed he would’ve killed her that night.”

Hills’ said in his closing argument that the commonwealth’s case was based on Wallace’s testimony, not Miller’s.

“The reality is the entire thing is predicated on (Wallace’s) statement,” Hills said. “My client made no admission. He admitted to not opening the door, because he thought there were guys outside that were going to jump him.”

Nash stepped out of the courtroom to review his notes before making his final decision. Upon returning, he dismissed two counts of misdemeanor simple assault, holding all other charges for the Common Plea Court.