Police accuse man in slashing

ELLWOOD CITY - Ellwood City police used an ankle monitor Thursday night to help their police dog track a man accused of slashing his girlfriend with a kitchen knife.

John Paul Huddy, 35, of 216 Third St., Ellwood City, was charged Friday morning with aggravated assault, simple assault, making terroristic threats and unlawful restraint.

In documents filed with the office of District Judge Jerry Cartwright Jr., Ellwood City police Officer Michael McBride said Huddy had gotten into an argument around 10 p.m. Thursday with his girlfriend, Michelle Delposen, at his home.

During the argument, Delposen told police, Huddy picked up a kitchen knife and punched her. McBride said Delposen had a minor injury on her throat from the knife and an injured lip from the punch.

Delposen then tried to get away from the house, but Huddy
caught her and pulled her back into the building. At this time, she fell and injured her knee, police said.

When she sought refuge in a bathroom, she said, Huddy threatened to kill her, then himself, with the knife.

Delposen called a friend, Ryan Goehring, who went to the house, where Huddy confronted him, police said.

McBride said Huddy picked up a brick and threatened to kill Goehring with it before using the kitchen knife to cut off his ankle-bracelet monitor and fleeing the building.

Pennsylvania court records indicate Huddy has a criminal history dating to 2001, when he pleaded guilty to hunting without a license and was fined $141.50. He pleaded guilty to criminal mischief in 2007 and was fined $319.50.

His criminal history also includes charges earlier this year of escape and criminal mischief, which were waived to court. Huddy also has faced other charges including manufacture, delivery or possession of controlled substances with intent to deliver, criminal mischief, theft and receiving stolen property.

It is unclear which, if any, of those offenses were the reason Huddy was wearing the ankle monitor. Personnel from Lawrence County's Department of Adult Probation said the office has a policy not to release information on people adjudicated through its office.

Police said Huddy left the house before officers arrived, but McBride - handler for Ellwood City's police dog, Jozek - said the dog was able to pick up Huddy's scent through the ankle monitor.

Jozek tracked Huddy along Third Street and a series of alleys in the Pittsburgh Circle neighborhood. McBride called other officers to establish a perimeter in the area, and Huddy was taken into custody at Mulberry and Apple ways.

Huddy was arraigned and placed in the Lawrence County Jail after failing to put up $25,000 bond.

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