Dec 13, 2018 2 min read

A Burgettstown man was jailed after he allegedly beat up his wife because he believed she threw out his chewing tobacco.

Smith Township police said Wednesday morning, Patrick Joseph Calhoun, 30, of 6 Spring Drive, became angry at his wife because he suspected she threw out his chewing tobacco. The incident began with his yelling and screaming at her and dumping water on her, according to the criminal complaint.

It escalated when Calhoun started to choke her with both hands to the point that she couldn’t breathe, the complaint said. The wife told police when she tried to get Calhoun off of her, he grabbed her face, pulled her hair and punched her in the chest five times.

Police said Calhoun tried to get her phone away from her by forcing her to the ground and applying pressure to her neck. The woman told police that while he was on her neck, she heard a “pop” in her neck and rib area. He then allegedly pushed her into a table, causing her to fall to the ground.

Police said the wife reported the incident at the police station later that evening, after she was treated at Weirton Medical Center for her injuries. Police said she was diagnosed with a rib contusion, blunt chest trauma, a concussion and a muscle strain.

Police charged Calhoun with strangulation, simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct. He was arraigned Wednesday night by District Judge Ethan Ward and jailed on $50,000 bond.