Man jailed for strangling teen during argument
NORRISTOWN » A former Souderton man faces jail time and batterer’s treatment after he admitted to strangling a teenage boy, assaulting a little girl and threatening their mother during a domestic-related altercation at a borough residence.
Dwight Lynwood Williamson, formerly of the 500 block of Hemsing Circle, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to 11½ to 23 months in the county jail after he pleaded guilty to charges of strangulation, simple assault and terroristic threats in connection with the May 2017 incident.
Judge Todd D. Eisenberg, who accepted a plea agreement in the matter, also ordered Williamson to complete eight years’ probation after he’s paroled from jail and to complete a batterer’s treatment program. The judge said Williamson is to have “no offensive contact” with the three victims while under court supervision.
The judge also ordered Williamson to undergo drug, alcohol and mental health evaluations and to comply with all recommendations for treatment. The judge indicated Williamson is eligible for early parole into an inpatient treatment program but only after serving at least 8 ½ months in jail.
County Assistant District Attorney Lauren Marvel sought a jail sentence against Williamson, who knew the victims. Authorities characterized the incident as a case of domestic violence.
“In cases of domestic violence when we have strangulation we’re on high alert for concern that a case can become lethal. So when we’re reviewing domestic violence cases we’re looking for those high indicators of lethality,” Marvel explained. “Strangulation is one where we’re on the lookout and we want to make sure that there’s accountability, that accountability comes quickly and that it’s significant.
“In this case, jail time was meaningful to make sure that this defendant understands the real peril he put that boy in when he strangled him, just how close he was to causing serious bodily injury to him,” Marvel added.
The investigation began about 9:10 p.m. May 9 when Souderton police responded to a borough residence to investigate a report of a domestic incident in progress with injuries to a 16-year-old boy, court documents indicate. Witnesses told police that during an argument, Williamson “grabbed (the boy) by the front of his neck” and “slammed him down,” according to the arrest affidavit filed by Souderton Police Officer Gregory Meinhardt.
The boy told police the choking lasted about two minutes and that he did lose temporary consciousness, according to court papers.
An 11-year-old girl who was also inside the home witnessed the assault and went to call 911. At that time, Williamson became angry with the girl and he struck her in the ribs with his hand, police alleged.
The mother of the children tried to stop Williamson from assaulting the minors and he allegedly grabbed her and pushed her to the floor. Williamson then lost his balance and fell, landing on the woman and the teenage boy, according to the criminal complaint.
Authorities alleged Williamson threatened to kill the woman during the incident.
Witnesses, according to court documents, told police that the altercation occurred after Williamson had been “drinking for most of the night.” When police arrived at the residence Williamson came out of the residence and he was taken into custody.