A Lancaster County judge ruled that aggravated assault charges against a 20-year-old Penn Township man will move forward after prosecutors alleged he repeatedly punched a man until he lost consciousness.
A Penn Township man accused of severely beating another man inside a residence, leaving him unconscious for several hours, will have his case proceed to Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas.
Following a preliminary hearing on June 11, Judge Joseph Stauffer ruled there was sufficient evidence for Kiras Matthias Hollinger, 20, of the 100 block of Sunny Slope Lane, to stand trial on charges of aggravated assault and simple assault.
Victim allegedly beaten unconscious
According to court records, the assault occurred during the afternoon of May 31 at a residence in the first block of Penn Valley Village in Penn Township.
Prosecutors allege Hollinger punched the victim multiple times, knocking him to the floor. Authorities said the victim remained unconscious for several hours and suffered serious bodily injuries.
According to charging documents, Hollinger told police he believed the victim had attempted to sexually assault a woman inside the residence. Hollinger allegedly admitted punching the victim in the head several times and continuing to strike him after he fell until he realized the victim was unconscious.
Witness disputed Hollinger’s account
Investigators said the woman Hollinger claimed he was protecting told officers no sexual assault had occurred.
Instead, according to police, she reported that Hollinger punched the victim in the head and knocked him unconscious.
Police also said Hollinger told investigators that all three people present had been drinking before the incident.
Hollinger remains in Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail. The case was investigated by Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Officer Brayden Brandt.
The charges are allegations, and Hollinger is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Key Points
- A judge ordered aggravated assault charges against Kiras Matthias Hollinger to proceed to Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas.
- Prosecutors allege the 20-year-old repeatedly punched a man, leaving him unconscious for several hours with serious injuries.
- A witness disputed Hollinger’s claim that he was intervening to stop a sexual assault, according to charging documents.
Penn Township, Lancaster County, Kiras Matthias Hollinger, Penn Valley Village, Northern Lancaster County Regional Police, aggravated assault, Lancaster County Court, Pennsylvania crime, CrimeWatch