Mar 25, 2019 3 min read

A South Strabane Township man recently released from prison is back in jail after allegedly committing a crime similar to what he was incarcerated for in 2007 – stabbing and attempting to kill his girlfriend and another man.

David Allen Vaughan, 55, of 2013 E. Maiden St., Washington, had already fled early Saturday when South Strabane police arrived at his residence, where the bloody scene unfolded.

Vaughan allegedly was drinking the evening before with his live-in girlfriend Cathy Ringer and Harry Ringer, whose relationship with Cathy is unknown, police said. Police said Cathy went to bed around 9:45 p.m., but woke up at 4:55 a.m. to an altercation between Vaughan and Harry.

She told police items had been thrown around the house. When she asked the men what happened, they said the fight was over and it was, “just what guys do,” the criminal complaint said.

Vaughan allegedly realized his lip was bleeding and became angry at Harry, according to the criminal complaint. He allegedly went into the kitchen and stabbed Harry with a knife multiple times in the chest and arm.

Cathy told police she heard Harry yell “He’s stabbing me,” the complaint said. When Cathy tried to pull Vaughan off of Harry, Vaughan began to stab her in the forearms. She tried to escape from him, and he allegedly cut her foot, the complaint said.

Vaughan allegedly said to both Ringers, “You know I have to kill you both. I have to finish this and kill you,” the complaint said.

Police said Cathy was able to get to a phone and call 911. Harry was flown to UPMC-Presbyterian hospital in Pittsburgh with life-threatening injuries, police said. As of Monday, he was still in critical condition, said South Strabane Detective Kenneth Torboli, who investigated the case. Cathy was treated at the scene, but refused further treatment, Torboli said.

Vaughan had fled the scene but was found 90 minutes later by North Strabane Township’s police dog. Vaughan was allegedly hiding at a nearby house. Police said he had blood on his clothing.

Vaughan was charged by South Strabane police with two counts each of attempted homicide, aggravated assault and terroristic threats. He was arraigned Saturday afternoon by District Judge Joshua Kanalis and put in jail without bond.

According to court documents, Vaughan’s bail was denied partly due to his prior history of domestic violence and the fact that he recently completed a “lengthy prison sentence.”

Torboli said he believes Vaughan has been out of prison for more than a year. He was sentenced in 2007 to 5 to 10 years in prison on two counts of aggravated assault. Two counts of attempted homicide were dropped in that case.

Torboli said that case, from Washington City, had been similar. Vaughan had stabbed a woman, Charen Campbell, and a man, Kevin Giles, with a kitchen knife about 3:40 a.m. March 11, 2006, in the 100 block of Jollick Manor.

“They were friends having a gathering with alcohol and an argument happened,” said Washington City Detective Daniel Stanek, who handled that case 13 years ago.

Stanek said one of the victims was in the hospital for a week, while the other was in for a month.

“I knew he got a decent sentence,” Stanek said. “Apparently, he’s out and doing the same thing again.”

Vaughan’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:45 a.m. April 1, before District Judge David Mark.