Man, 70, guilty of assaulting wife with butcher knife

ELK TOWNSHIP » A jury has found a Chester County man guilty of assaulting his wife in 2019 during an argument over money.

Daniel Whyte, 70, of Elk Township, was found guilty of assaulting his wife in Aug. 2019 during an argument over money. A jury found him guilty of simple assault, terroristic threats, possessing an instrument of crime, and other charges. He will be sentenced later.

“This is the second guilty verdict for domestic violence in a matter of days,” said Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan. “Domestic abuse happens in secret, inside homes, behind closed doors, everywhere. Just as this courageous woman did, victims must come forward to bring domestic violence out of the shadows. That is the only way for justice to be served.”

On Aug. 23, 2019, a woman went to the Pennsylvania State Police Avondale Barracks to report that her husband, the defendant, had strangled and assaulted her inside their home in Elk Twp. She told investigators that the assault happened on Aug. 12 and that she had been living in a hotel since.

The day the assault occurred, the victim told police that she and Whyte were arguing over money when the defendant punched her arms and head about five times. Authorities said Whyte grabbed a shoe and hit her head approximately seven times. The victim said that Whyte then placed his hands around her neck and choked her so she could not breathe. The victim said she kicked Whyte off her.

Whyte briefly stepped out of the room and returned with a butcher knife. The victim said she pleaded with him not to use the knife on her, and he finally put it down. State police investigated. Assistant District Attorney’s Nicole Morley and Bob Goggin were the assigned prosecutors.

If you feel unsafe around someone you love, contact the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County’s 24/7 hotline at 888-711-6270 or 610-431-1430. Call 911 if you are in immediate danger.