DUBOIS – A DuBois man will stand trial for felony strangulation related to two incidents that happened the same day.
Matthew Shane Gallahan, 34, was charged by Sandy Township police in two cases with felony strangulation, misdemeanor assault and summary harassment after he allegedly strangled a woman at two different times on July 28.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, the first incident occurred around 1 a.m. at a Sandy Township residence.
When police arrived on the scene and spoke with the victim, she stated that Gallahan was high on methamphetamine and had struck her several times.
She explained the two had been arguing all day before it became physical just prior to her calling 911. She tried to leave, but he would not let her.
He reportedly began slapping her face and then walked up behind her, placing her in a rear choke hold.
She could not breathe from the pressure and became unconscious, she told police.
After he let her go, she regained consciousness. He then reportedly picked up a large butcher knife in the kitchen and started walking toward her.
She ran upstairs. She said he put the knife down when he heard her on the phone with authorities and ran out of the house.
Police searched the area, but were unable to locate him.
The next alleged assault occurred later that morning.
At 10:08 a.m., the victim appeared at the police station to report another assault by Gallahan in which he wrapped his arm around her neck and choked her, according to that affidavit.
She said she was able to get into her car where she locked the doors.
Gallahan then allegedly punched in the window of the vehicle to get at her. She started the car and left.
After a preliminary hearing during centralized court on Friday at District Judge Patrick Ford’s office, all charges in both cases were sent on to the Court of Common Pleas for further disposition.
A note in the criminal complaint indicates that Gallahan was found guilty of strangulation in a prior case in Frederick County, Virginia in June of 2013.
He is being held in the county jail in lieu of $100,000 bail in the first case and $5,000 for the second case.
