Attempted Homicide Charges for Hatchet-Wielding Man
Corry – A Crawford County man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly attacking a Corry man with a hatchet in Erie County. Christopher J Cox of Spartansburg allegedly attacked the father of an ex-girlfriend with a hatchet late Thursday night. According to the Corry Police Department, the victim got away and rode a bicycle to a store for help, the man suffered a severe laceration to his arm that was later called potentially life-threatening by doctors at Corry Memorial Hospital. A Spartansburg man named Christopher Cox has a history of assault and drug possession charges dating back more than 20 years, but court records show no docket for this case.

One Killed in Motorcycle Crash
Butler – A Sunday afternoon crash between a car and a motorcycle killed a New York man in Butler County. Murphy Ryan of Niagara Falls, New York was killed instantly in an accident on Route 422 and Geibel Road in Summit Township. Pennsylvania State Police Troopers who investigated the scene say that a woman in a Ford Fusion was making a left turn onto Geibel Road when Mr. Murphy hit her vehicle on the passenger side while riding a Suzuki motorcycle. The impact was severe enough to kill Murphy instantly and even require the driver of the car to be hospitalized. An Investigation is ongoing.

Squatter’s Rights Legislation Passes PA Senate
Harrisburg – Pennsylvania’s House and Senate are both working to simplify regulations surrounding the rights of property owners and squatters. SB 1236, proposed by PA Senator Dan Laughlin, representing Erie County, was passed by Unanimous Consent on Friday – it aims to clarify the legal status of squatters and provide property owners with the ability to file a ‘Notice to Quit’ against illegitimate occupants. House Bill 2237 is focused on giving police more authority to remove trespassers, and a second unfinished House Bill seeks to create civil and legal liability for false statements in property disputes. Pennsylvania law requires a squatter to reside on a property unchallenged for 21 years before they are given legal control. Still, challenges by property owners are often legally complex and costly court battles.