Curwensville Man Charged in Alleged Assault

CURWENSVILLE – A Curwensville man is facing felony and misdemeanor charges for an alleged assault that police say has left another man hospitalized with severe head trauma.

Keavon L. Chisolm, 29, is charged by Curwensville Borough police with felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor recklessly endangering another person, simple assault (two counts) and disorderly conduct, plus summary harassment.

The charges stem from a fight that occurred June 30 in the 500 block of Filbert Street, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed with the office of Magisterial District Judge Mike Morris.

Upon arrival at the scene, Officer Joseph Witherite found one male lying on the ground with blood coming from his mouth. He attempted numerous times to speak with the victim, but he could not respond.

He also saw an object under the victim’s body near his chest, and lifted his left arm to find a cellular phone. Because the victim was breathing and bleeding heavily, Witherite summoned emergency services as well as back-up from the Lawrence Township police.

After it was found Chisolm had engaged in a fight with the victim, he started to approach the scene yelling and throwing his arms in the air. Witherite requested township officers to expedite their response due to Chisolm’s behavior.

The officer made contact with Chisolm, as EMS and township officer Levi Olson arrived on-scene. Chisolm began to calm down and wasn’t causing problems, so Witherite had back-up officers slow their response.

Chisolm said he walked down Filbert Street and observed the victim who owed him $200 in the window of his home. He said he yelled from the street about the money, the victim came outside “enraged” and shoved him to the ground.

He said after he got up, the victim put his hands around his throat and at this point, he began to swing at the victim in order to defend himself. When the victim went down to the ground, he said he headed back to his apartment, but the victim followed.

Chisolm said he repeatedly told the victim to stop, and also saw that he was reaching into his pocket for something, but he didn’t know what for. He said out of fear, he began to strike the victim who went to the ground again.

However, upon further investigation, Witherite learned witnesses saw Chisolm kick the victim in the head area several times while he was on the ground and not fighting back.

The victim’s wife said he became upset when he heard Chisolm yelling on the street, and went outside to handle the situation. She said she neither saw the victim attempt to grab nor choke Chisolm, but did see them shoving one another.

She said Chisolm struck the victim, causing him to fall backward and strike his head. She said she went to grab her cellular phone and when she came back to the window, they were still fighting but now further up the street.

She said she didn’t see what occurred just prior to this point but was told the victim was kicked several times while he was on the ground. Chisolm was then taken into custody by Witherite with assistance from township officers.

The victim was transported by ambulance to a landing zone at the Curwensville High School and flown to UPMC Altoona due to concerns of having suffered head trauma, according to the affidavit.

After this, Witherite was requested to contact Curwensville Fire Chief Shawn Fye, who reported that the victim’s condition was uncertain, as he apparently had a seizure during transport.

He also spoke with a paramedic who said the victim could be suffering from anything as severe as skull fractures to as minor as a concussion.

They said the victim did have a seizure and was able to answer questions, but had vomited when intubated, which was a sign of possible brain trauma.

On July 1, Witherite contacted the victim’s wife who said an initial scan showed blood on the victim’s brain. She said he was still on a ventilator and would have another brain scan done that day.

Chisolm is currently lodged in the Clearfield County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. He’s scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing at 8:30 a.m. July 15 during centralized court.