A Scranton man choked his ex-girlfriend as she was paying respects to her deceased mother at a local church, according to a criminal complaint.
At about 6 p.m. on Thursday, officers were called to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Annex on Taylor Avenue for the report of an assault.
According to the criminal complaint:
When police arrived, Kasara Miller said she had been at the church to pay respects to her mother, who had passed away years ago, when her ex-boyfriend Twyhene Coppage came up behind her and began to choke her.
Coppage, 44, of 1009 Taylor Ave., then dragged her out of the church and into the parking lot, where he choked her again, this time to the point of unconsciousness.
Miller told officers she couldn’t breathe for about a minute.
Coppage then put Miller into the back seat of her Ford Expedition and got into the SUV with her.
He then tried to slash Miller’s tires with a knife he had stolen from her during the incident.
Miller was able to get into the driver’s seat and leave the parking lot before calling 911.
There was no one inside the church at the time of the incident, she said.
Officers then spoke with the pastor, the Rev. Justin Tigerman. Tigerman said there were no cameras at the church and he wasn’t aware of the incident.
Tigerman said he believed he had locked the door, but added that there are small groups that meet there during the week.
Officers then spoke with Coppage at his residence.
He acknowledged being at the church at about 4 p.m., but denied attacking Miller.
Coppage turned over Miller’s knife to officers.
Coppage remains at Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled at 11:15 a.m. on Nov. 12 before District Judge Alyce Farrell.