Perry County landlord attacked with sledgehammer, screwdriver while evicting tenants

PERRY COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — Two people are jailed on attempted homicide charges Wednesday for allegedly attacking their landlord with a sledgehammer and screwdriver, court documents state.

According to the charges filed by State Police at Newport, Joshua Goshorn, 39, and Ashley Zellers, 38, both of Newport, allegedly attacked their landlord who was changing the locks after evicting them.

The charges show that Troopers rushed to the 40 block of Bailey Run Street in Miller Township for an assault where a landlord was stabbed with a screwdriver and hit with a sledgehammer just before 2:30 p.m.

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After arriving at the scene, Troopers say Zellers began walking towards a vehicle and ignored commands their commands. When a Trooper tried to grab Zellers, she pushed away but was then taken into custody with the help of other Troopers. State Police say Goshorn was taken into custody without incident.

Multiple interviews were conducted at the scene with witnesses who reported they saw the entire attack happen.

State Police say they were told the duo was outside when they came around a corner of the home and attacked the landlord. Court docs state witnesses reported that Goshorn hit the man in the head with the hammer and tackled him, and then Zellers stabbed him with a screwdriver.

The landlord told Troopers that the duo was evicted on July 8 so he came to change the locks but he couldn’t get in so he went to try to take a window air conditioning unit out, and that is when he was attacked, the complaint says.

State Police say they saw the landlord had multiple injuries to his head.

When the duo was interviewed back at the police station, they denied using a sledgehammer and screwdriver, but did admit to striking the landlord, the complaint shows.

Both Goshorn and Zellers face multiple felony charges that include attempted homicide, aggravated assault, and criminal trespass, along with a misdemeanor charge of simple assault. They also face a summary charge of harassment.

The duo is locked up in Perry County Prison with bail denied, and await a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 30.

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