SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — A Westmoreland County man and his girlfriend will be heading to county court after assault and escape charges were bound over during a preliminary hearing Wednesday.

The hearing, which was held before Magisterial District Judge William O'Donnell, determined that enough evidence existed to bind felony counts of aggravated assault, terroristic threats and escape, as well as misdemeanor counts simple assault, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, and a summary charge of harassment against Nicholas J. Lucia, 23, of Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County.

O'Donnell also bound over a charge of felony hindering apprehension and a summary charge of underage drinking against Lucia's girlfriend, Chloe V. Ketterer, 20.

The victim, Slippery Rock University student Brandon C. Pollice, 21, testified Wednesday that he was assaulted during a “rap battle.”

He said while attending a party, he engaged in a rap battle when Lucia hit him in the face, knocking him to the ground.

“The next thing I remember is me waking up in a hospital the next morning,” Pollice said.

Pollice said when he awoke in UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, he learned that he had been taken by ambulance to Grove City Medical Center, where he was then flown by helicopter to UPMC with a concussion and a broken nose, which requires a pending surgery in December to reset.

Lucia remains free after posting $50,000 bond, while Ketterer was released on $3,000 bail.