Credit: Friends of Tina Davis
A Bristol Borough man was arrested and jailed Wednesday afternoon after he allegedly attacked a roommate with a knife during a dispute about rent and monthly costs, according to authorities.
Michael Roman, who just turned 21 last month, was arraigned by District Judge David J. Chichilitti on a single felony count of aggravated assault and misdemeanors of simple assault, terroristic threats, and a related offense. He was remanded to the custody Bucks County Prison, with bail set at 10 percent of $100,000.00
According to the probable cause, at just before 9:30 a.m. Bristol Borough Police were dispatched to the 500 block of Bath Street, for a report of an armed subject involving a weapon.
Police were initially advised that multiple individuals were involved in a physical altercation and that weapons, including knives and a firearm, were reportedly involved.
Police officer Montana Briehler was first to arrive on scene and observed two young men outside the residence waving their hands and attempting to get her attention.
One male had a visible laceration to his finger and stated that he had been stabbed, police said in court papers, by Roman.
Police noted what appeared to be blood appearing outside and inside the residence.
Due to the reported armed confrontation, apparent injuries, and the possibility of an ongoing threat inside the residence, Briehler said, she entered the residence to assess whether anyone required emergency assistance.
Credit: Submitted
Once inside, police noted what appeared to be blood throughout the kitchen area, along with a shattered kitchen window and broken glass.
During the investigation, the involved individuals were identified. They were the complainant/victim, Roman, and two witnesses.
According to police, the incident began as a verbal disagreement between Roman and the complainant concerning household expenses, including Roman’s Social Security payment and his lack contributions towards monthly costs, such as rent.
The disagreement subsequently escalated into a physical confrontation between Roman and the victim, police said.
The complainant/victim told police Roman initially struck him in the area of his eye during the confrontation. He acknowledged that he subsequently grabbed Roman by his hair, took him to the floor, and attempted to physically restrain him. Continuing, he said that following the initial physical confrontation, Roman allegedly obtained two kitchen knives and confronted him.
Roman, he said, held both knives in one hand and pointed them directly toward him while standing approximately one and one half to two feet away. He alleged Roman threatened to kill him while pointing the knives in his direction.
The complainant/victim further described physically struggling with Roman during the confrontation involving the knives and acknowledged striking Roman twice.
Police obtained a statement from a witness, who was present inside the residence during the altercation.
Credit: Lower Bucks Hospital
The witness told police she saw the complainant/victim and Roman physically engage with one another before both went to the floor. She observed Roman get two to three knives from the kitchen knife block, the probable cause alleges, and held them during the confrontation. She did not see, according to court records, Roman swing or stab anyone with the knives because she was upset during the incident, was crying, and covered her eyes at various times, limiting her ability to observe every action.
A second witness told police Roman placed the knives into the kitchen sink after the confrontation.
Roman was detained during the investigation and subsequently interviewed at Bristol Borough Police Headquarters. Prior to questioning Roman, he was advised of Miranda rights and agreed to speak with police.
According to court papers, Roman admitted to getting a knife from the kitchen during the confrontation with the complainant/victim and that he threatened to stab the victim. He told police he got the knife’s because he believed he needed to protect himself following the initial altercation he and his roomate had.
Roman alleged the complainant/victim had taken him to the floor and choked him around his neck, causing him difficulty in breathing. He also admitted to punching the victim during the physical confrontation but maintained that he did so because he felt threatened and was attempting to defend himself.
Police said Roman’s statements concerning the initiation of the fight and his reason for picking up the the knife’s differed from the account provided by the victim.
File Image Credit: Bristol Borough Police Department
Police observed the two knives in the kitchen sink, with one having blood apparently on it which was recovered by police as suspected blood as evidence.
The second knife was photographed and left at the scene, according to court records.
The recovery of the knives was consistent with statements that knives had been involved in the confrontation. However, the physical evidence alone did not establish which knife Roman possessed or whether he attempted to strike his roomate with it.
Roman is due back in court in November for a preliminary hearing and he has no attorney of record, presently, according to online court records.