Lewistown man headed to trial on assault charges
Price accused of striking nurse at DuBois behavioral health facility
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CLEARFIELD -- A Lewistown man will stand trial on felony assault and other charges after allegedly striking a nurse at Penn Highlands Behavioral Health Hospital in DuBois earlier this month.
Gregory Charles Price, 51, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge James Glass.
Price faces two counts each of aggravated assault, second-degree felonies; terroristic threats, third-degree felonies; simple assault, second-degree misdemeanors; and harassment, third-degree misdemeanors.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, DuBois City Police responded to the behavioral health facility on Sunflower Drive on Oct. 6 following a report that a patient had assaulted a nurse.
Hospital security personnel told police they had secured Price in a room but were having difficulty managing him because of his size.
Police learned that Price allegedly struck a nurse in the head, causing injuries that required medical attention.
According to court documents, Price told officers he struck the nurse because she had been "picking on him all day" and he had become frustrated.
Police said Price also allegedly threatened to kill anyone who approached him during the incident.
The nurse told investigators she and a co-worker had entered Price’s room to ask whether he wanted a drink. Price allegedly stood up, approached the co-worker and spit on her.
The nurse said she stepped between them in an attempt to intervene, but Price also spit on her, causing her to turn her head.
Price then allegedly struck the nurse with a closed fist on the left side of her head, behind her ear.
The nurse reported bleeding from her ear, blurred vision and dizziness following the assault.
Price remains incarcerated at the Clearfield County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.
His formal arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 18.