FRACKVILLE - Prosecutors withdrew the most serious charges against an Ashland man charged with attacking a man in March and trying to assault two police officers.
Two felony counts of aggravated assault were withdrawn against Charles J. Wilson, 30, of 1310 Centre St., prior to the man waiving his right to a hearing on the remaining offenses.
By waiving his hearing, Wilson will now have to appear in Schuylkill County Court on misdemeanor charges of three counts each of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, 40 counts of criminal mischief and one count of disorderly conduct.
Also waived for court by Wilson were three summary counts of harassment and a summary charge of public drunkenness.
Following the proceedings, Wilson was returned to Schuylkill County Prison, where he is being held on $15,000 straight cash bail set by Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale at the time of his arraignment.
Ashland police Patrolman Douglas Litwhiler said the charges against Wilson stem from an incident about 6:30 p.m. March 18 at 539 Walnut St.
Litwhiler said he was called to the home for a disturbance and found Wilson attacking Frank Allen on the floor in the basement by pulling his hair and kicking him. Allen, the officer said, is confined to a wheelchair.
When ordered to stop, Litwhiler said, Wilson started running up the stairs toward him screaming and in a crazed state.
Litwhiler said he used his Taser, causing Wilson to fall to the ground, but as soon as the weapon stopped, Wilson again started to kick and punch Allen.
The officer said he used his Taser again and tried to place Wilson in handcuffs, but the man kicked him in the leg. Litwhiler said he was finally able to place Wilson in handcuffs after hitting him a third time with the Taser,
Butler Township police Lt. Daniel Holderman and Frackville police Patrolman James Patterson arrived and attempted to place Wilson in a police cruiser, but the man started to kick and fight, kicking Holderman in the genitals and Litwhiler in the chest and thigh.
Holderman used his Taser on Wilson and handcuffs were put on his ankles and he was placed in the back of a police car, where he began kick and headbutt the rear windows and cage, Litwhiler said.
While being taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street for evaluation, Litwhiler said Wilson kicked or headbutted the cage and window 39 times.
At the hospital, Pottsville police were called to assist since Wilson continued to be combative and kicked the windows of the car, the officer said.