Hatfield man admits choking woman
NORRISTOWN >> A Hatfield man is in jail awaiting his fate from a judge after he admitted to choking a woman with a rope and threatening to kill her during a domestic disturbance inside his home.
Michael John Reid, 49, whose last known address was in the 300 block of West Broad Street, pleaded guilty in Montgomery County Court to charges of strangulation and terroristic threats in connection with the December 2017 incident. Judge Todd D. Eisenberg deferred sentencing so that court officials can complete a presentence investigation report about Reid.
The judge ordered Reid to be held at the county jail without bail while awaiting his sentencing hearing.
Reid faces a possible maximum sentence of 7½ to 15 years in prison on the charges. However, state sentencing guidelines could allow for a lesser sentence.
An investigation began about 2:33 a.m. Dec. 10, 2017, when Hatfield po- lice responded to the West Broad Street residence to investigate a 911 hang up call.
Upon arrival, police spoke to the victim who reported she and Reid had been drinking alcohol and discussing the possible dissolution of their relationship when Reid approached her from behind and wrapped a tree climbing rope around her neck, according to the criminal complaint filed by Hatfield Township Police Officer Kenneth E. Peck.
“(The victim) having difficulty breathing, pleaded with Michael to remove the rope. Michael eventually released the tension of the rope from around her neck,” Peck alleged.
The victim told police that as she and Reid continued to argue about their relationship Reid shoved her and she fell face-first onto an inflatable air mattress on the floor. Reid then placed his knee in the woman’s back and wrapped the tree climbing rope around her neck several more times while threatening her not to end their relationship by stating, “I’ll kill you and bury you,” according to the criminal complaint.
“(The victim) stated that she attempted to call for help but was unable to project her voice loud enough so that anyone could hear her cries,” Peck alleged.
Reid eventually freed the woman and she yelled out to another person in the residence for help, police said.
During the investigation, police retrieved the rope that was used during the assault.
Under state law, by pleading guilty to the strangulation charge, Reid admitted that he knowingly or intentionally impeded the breathing or circulation of the blood of another person by applying pressure to the throat or neck.
Other charges of possessing an instrument of crime and simple assault are to be dismissed against Reid at time of sentencing in exchange for his guilty plea to the other charges.
“(The victim) having difficulty breathing, pleaded with Michael to remove the rope. Michael eventually released the tension of the rope from around her neck.”
— Hatfield Township Police Officer Kenneth E. Peck alleged in arrest affidavit