A Brentwood man is facing several charges after he allegedly stabbed a woman in the neck during a domestic dispute.
John Geffert, 52, is charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats and simple assault.
The stabbing happened Wednesday night in Carrick, according to a police report. Officials said the 53-year-old woman was taken to Mercy Hospital in stable condition.
According to a criminal complaint, the police responded to an apartment on Parkfield Street for a domestic dispute around 7:30 p.m.. At that time, the woman reported Geffert, who she said is her boyfriend, had grabbed her hair, slammed her head to the floor and choked her. Police said the woman spoke with a crisis counselor, and the woman said she wanted to stay at the apartment even though Geffert had keys to the front door.
Soon after police cleared the apartment, the woman said Geffert returned, angry that she called police. The woman said he broke a computer and told her she was “going to die.” She said Geffert then forced her to the ground and sliced her neck with a steak knife.
According to a criminal complaint, the woman suffered multiple lacerations to her left hand trying to defend herself from the assault. After she was stabbed in the neck, the woman said Geffert dragged her across the floor and asked her to kill him, stating, “We can both die together.”
The woman said she ran out of the apartment onto the street, where she first knocked on a friend's door then ran up the street. When police arrived, the woman was standing outside of the Carrick Shopping Center with a large gash on her neck.
Officers reported they saw Geffert holding a steak knife to his throat while he asked police about the woman’s condition. Police said Geffert said, “Is she OK? My life’s over.” As he retreated into a bedroom. Police said Geffert refused numerous commands to surrender and started cutting his neck below his chin with the steak knife as he said, “That’s it. I got to go guys.”
A police officer used a Taser in an effort to prevent Geffert from seriously injuring himself. Geffert was arrested and taken to Allegheny General Hospital to be treated for superficial wounds. He was then taken to the Allegheny County Jail.
Geffert has an extensive criminal history and has been arrested more than 10 times in less than two years. His previous crimes include terroristic threats, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.
The victim's friend told Channel 11 News that the victim planned to take out a protection from abuse order against Geffert.
"I talked to her earlier. We were on the bus and I said to her, 'Are you OK?' And she said, 'I don't want to go home. He's going to be there."
Geffert is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 4.