Connellsville man charged with assaulting ex-girlfriend
A 44-year-old man is behind bars for allegedly attempting to break into his ex-girlfriends home in Connellsville at about 1:15 a.m. Friday and attacking the woman and her daughter.
Michael Scott Hensel of North Pittsburgh Street in Connellsville is charged with attempted burglary, attempted criminal trespass, strangulation and two counts of simple assault.
According to the affidavit of probable cause filed in his case, Hensel kicked the door of a Gallatin Avenue apartment and broke a window, and then hit and shoved the 17-year-old daughter of his ex-girlfriend. He allegedly hit his ex, Karie Blackburn, multiple times and grabbed her by the hair. He allegedly put his hand over her nose and mouth. Connellsville Police found muddy boot prints on the door.
Police took Blackburn and her daughter to pick up their vehicle at Hensel’s residence, and discovered pieces of the car were removed from the engine area. The car would not start, police said.
Hensel was arraigned early Friday by on-call Magisterial District Judge Jennifer Jeffries, who set bail at $25,000. He remained in Fayette County Prison as of Friday afternoon, unable to post bail. Charges were filed before Magisterial District Judge Ronald Haggerty Jr.