‘Violence masquerading as love,’ says Chesco DA

Quick thinking and a cell phone allowed state police to interrupt a Valentine’s Day sexual assault on a West Nottingham woman allegedly by her estranged husband, in which the man is also accused of stabbing the woman’s cousin with a butcher knife.

William Brown was arrested at the home on Center Drive where his wife was living on Sunday, and which he forced his way into. He is being held in Chester County Prison on $500,000 bail, charged with rape, attempted murder, aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering anther

person and possession of an instrument of crime.

According to a press release issued by the District

Attorney’s Office, Brown’s wife was able to alert police to what was happening in her home by secretly dialing 911 on a cell phone, and leaving it on live during the attack. State police troopers responded to the call and halted the attack

when they arrived.

Said District Attorney Tom Hogan of the incident, “This is a classic and terrifying case of domestic abuse, with violence masquerading as love. The victim here is to be commended for having the

courage and composure to call 911. She stopped what otherwise would have been a double murder.”

Thewoman, whose name is being withheld by the Daily Local News, had received a protection from abuse (PFA) order in Common

Pleas Court against Brown just two days before the attack. The order forbids Brown fromcoming to her home or having contact with her.

Deputy District Attorney Michelle Frei, the lead domestic violence prosecutor in the DA’s Office commented on the way the crime had played out.

“Unfortunately, we have seen over and over again that the time of greatest danger for a woman is the exact moment when she is separating herself fromher partner,” Frei said in the release. “Thismay include filing a PFA, filing for divorce, or just throwing him out of the house. We always tell women to be extremely careful during these high stress points.”

The basis for the PFA was an alleged incident in which the woman stated Brown, 45, of Nottingham had threatened to kill her with a butcher’s knife, as well as threatening to kill himself. It was signed by Common Pleas Judge Allison Bell Royer on Friday.

According to the press release and a criminal complaint filed by Trooper Aaron Botts, on Sunday, the woman was at home with her cousin, identified as Scott Barton, who had stayed overnight with her for protection. They already had changed the locks at the residence to keep Brown out.

A t approximately 8:30 a.m., Brown arrived at the residence and kicked in the

front door. Brown immediately stabbed Barton in the chest with a butcher’s knife. Brown also choked the victimuntil she became disoriented. Brown then stated that every time the victim spoke, Brown would stab Barton again.

Brown continued to terrorize the victim and Barton slicing Barton in the face with a box cutter and struck him in the head with a wooden statue. He then stabbed Barton in the chest again and threatened to kill them both. During this activity, the victim managed to dial 911 on her cell phone and hide the phone, leaving an open line so that police would respond.

Brown next took the victim into a bedroom and raped her. Afterwards, Brown stated that he was going to kill the victim, her cousin, and then himself.

The victim and Brown then heard someone coming to the front door. The victim told Brown it must be their daughter. Brown told the victim to let their daughter in and sat down. Instead of their daughter, it was several troopers from Avondale Barracks who quickly entered, secured Brown, and began treating the victim and her cousin, the release stated.

The victimand her cousin were transported to a hospital. Bartonwas operated on and is in serious but stable condition.

“This defendant inflicted a savage attack on his wife and her cousin,” Hogan said in the release. “But he was as meek as a lamb when armed troopers showed up. He is a classic bully and coward. Now he will have to face up to the Chester County justice system.”

Assistant District Attorney Ryan Borchik has been assigned to prosecute the case.