A Bradford man has been jailed on allegations that he assaulted a woman, and when police arrived, he resisted arrest and faked a seizure.
Marvin R. Baskerville, 52, of Bradford, was arraigned Tuesday before District Judge Dominic Cercone on charges of resisting arrest and false imprisonment, second-degree misdemeanors; simple assault, disorderly conduct-unreasonable noise and disorderly conduct-creates hazardous/physically offensive condition, third-degree misdemeanors; harassment and criminal mischief, summary charges.
The criminal complaint states that on Tuesday, Bradford City Police responded to the High Rise Apartment building for a report of a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, officers knocked on the door and could hear a female yell, “Help.”
They continued to knock, and they heard a male voice — Baskerville’s — but the occupants would not open the door, according to the complaint. They kept knocking and announcing that they were police officers, and Baskerville eventually opened the door.
An officer had Baskerville go in the hallway so he could check on the welfare of the female, who told the officer that Baskerville assaulted her, court records said.
According to the complaint, while Baskerville was in the hall with the other officer, he became agitated and began to scream and pull away from the officer. He tried to put Baskerville in custody, then both officers had to use physical force to put Baskerville’s hand behind his back and place him in custody.
While officers had Baskerville up against the hallway wall with his face toward the wall, Baskerville pulled his head back and headbutted the drywall, breaking it, court records stated. Officers took Baskerville to the floor.
While on the floor, Baskerville said he was having a seizure and began to squirm around; however, it was apparent to officers that Baskerville was not having a real seizure, according to the complaint. Baskerville refused to stand up and walk, so officers escorted him to the elevator. He continued yelling the entire time they were walking out of the building.
Outside, Baskerville allegedly tried to headbutt a patrol car, but he was taken to the ground again instead. More officers arrived and transported Baskerville to the police station.
An officer went back to the apartment to talk to the female about what happened. The female told the officer that they began arguing when Baskerville made an accusation against her. Baskerville grabbed her hair and face and covered her mouth so she could not yell, the complaint stated. Someone knocked on the door, and she yelled for help.
She told the officer she believed that Baskerville was off his mental health medications and she has never seen him act like that, court records stated.
According to the complaint, the victim had a cut with blood on her right cheek, as well as scratching and bruising on her left shoulder, while an officer suffered from a sore right forearm as a result of restraining and escorting Baskerville.
Baskerville is in McKean County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in Central Court on April 8.