Man Choked Girlfriend So They Could Talk, Police Say

An Easton man told police officers that he choked his girlfriend to keep her inside of a room so they could talk about their relationship problems, according to court records.

Sean Michael Nichol, 21, of 1411 Lehigh St., was charged with misdemeanor simple assault and two summary violations as a result of the domestic dispute at his home late Saturday.

The victim told police that Nichol, who is the father of their child, choked her and pushed her several times causing her to fall into a dresser and injure her shoulder, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Nichol’s father told police he witnessed his son push the victim into the dresser, the affidavit said.

Police said Nichol was “acting extremely irrational and unpredictable and kept on attempting to engage” the victim in conversation while police were on the scene at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

Police said Nichol was “extremely belligerent” and yelled expletives while standing in the street outside the home.

Nichol was arraigned early Sunday on charges of simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct before on-duty District Judge James Narlesky of Hanover Township and committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $3,500 bail.

-- Written by Daryl Nerl