A 20-year-old Morrisville man was jailed Wednesday accused of choking and biting girlfriend, police say.
Dwayne Penix was charged with one count felony strangulation, assault and a summary offense Wednesday night.
Police were dispatched just after 11:30 am to Rocks Springs Apartment complex, 937 West Trenton Avenue for a reported domestic incident.
Upon arrival, Falls Twp Police said they saw obvious raised red marks on the victim’s neck, a raised, red, dark colored contusion and visible bite mark injuries on her arm. The victim admitted to striking Penix after she was bitten a second time, court records show.
The victim told Police, on Wednesday, she and Penix had an argument leading to the victim being pushed and thrown down to the apartment floor.
Police later learned, according to the criminal complaint, Penix grabbed the victim by her throat and applied pressure to her neck while pushing her against the wall, which caused her to lose the ability to breathe. Police also said Penix had bitten the victim several times and struck her on the leg three times, according to the probable cause.
Penix told police he and the victim did argue but the victim struck him, broke his computer monitor, pushed him, and punched him in the face, court records show. After speaking with Penix. police determined he was the “most likely aggressor” taking him into custody.
Police searched the suspect and found a “blister pack” of marijuana in his front pocket, court records show. He was charged with two drug related misdemeanor offenses.
Penix was arraigned by District Judge John T. Galloway set bail at 10 percent of $100,000.00. In a bail reduction hearing Friday, a Court of Common Pleas Judge reduced his bail to unsecured status, according to court records. His release is imminent.
Penix is currently scheduled for January 16, 2024, preliminary hearing.
