News

October 27, 2009

Charges refiled in alleged Avoca assault

By Edward Lewis elewis@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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AVOCA – A man required more than 250 stitches and lost vision in his left eye after being struck in the head as he slept inside a home on Sept. 27, police said.

Police revealed the injuries Mark Donovan suffered in a criminal complaint that charged Ronald Marchise with aggravated assault and related offenses.

The charges were refiled against Marchise, 43, of Old Forge, on Friday with new allegations in response to District Judge Fred Pierantoni’s dismissal of the initial case after a preliminary hearing on Oct. 7.

Police allege Marchise forced his way into a house on Main Street and struck the sleeping Donovan in the head with a ceramic lamp.

The new set of charges against Marchise alleges Donovan lost vision in his eye and he needed reconstructive surgery.

Police charged Marchise with two counts of simple assault and disorderly conduct, and one count each of aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, burglary, criminal trespass and terroristic threats. He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $40,000 bail.

According to the latest criminal complaint:

Lynn Vergnetti told police Marchise was banging on her front and rear doors, and calling her cell phone every two minutes. Vergnetti said Marchise forced his way into the house as she locked herself in a bedroom and placed a nightstand against the bedroom door.

Vergnetti said she sat against the nightstand as Marchise pushed open the bedroom door and said “You’re dead. How can you do this to me.”

Vergnetti told police that Marchise lunged at Donovan and struck him in the neck. Vergnetti said Donovan rolled over and was struck in the head by a ceramic lamp Marchise had swung.

Police said they believe a metal nail file found in the kitchen was used to pry open the door.

Donovan had to undergo emergency surgery on his eye and suffered possible nerve damage to his face.

Marchise is tentatively scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday before Pierantoni.

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