Son cuts Derry Township father with machete during argument, troopers say
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A 39-year-old Derry Township man is in jail on multiple assault charges after allegedly cutting his father with a machete during an argument that turned physical Tuesday.
Kenneth C. Johnson is charged by state police with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, harassment and terroristic threats. District Judge Mark Bilik ordered Johnson held in the Westmoreland County Prison after he failed to post $10,000 bond.
Trooper Jason Kinger said he was dispatched to the 100 block of Pine Street in the village of Peanut at 5:30 a.m. for a report of a domestic dispute between Johnson and his father, Edward Johnson, 72.
Kinger reported, when he arrived, the elder Johnson had fled from his home to a nearby gas station where he had telephoned state police. Kinger wrote in court documents that Edward Johnson had a severe laceration on his left hand that required medical attention.
According to police reports, Edward Johnson told investigators he argued with his son and got in his pickup truck to leave when the younger Johnson ran out of the home carrying “a 12-inch machete,” blocked his path and threatened him.
The elder Johnson said he got out of his truck and attempted to take the machete.
“The victim, fearing for his safety, reached up and attempted to push the knife away with his left hand. As he reached up, (Kenneth Johnson) ripped the knife back, causing a severe laceration to the victim’s left hand,” Kinger wrote.
Kenneth Johnson surrendered at the scene without incident, police said.
The younger Johnson served a 5- to 12-month sentence in 2018 after pleading guilty to assault and resisting arrest in Washington County, according to court dockets.
Kenneth Johnson’s preliminary hearing is Nov. 4 before Bilik.