District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that, after a jury trial held today at the Courthouse, Ozzy STRAIT, of Bradford, was convicted of crimes related to an assault on his then-girlfriend. 

STRAIT was charged by City of Bradford Police Officer Evan Schmidt after he and Sgt. Seth Shephard were dispatched for a report of a strangulation that had just occurred at an apartment building in Bradford.

The victim had fled the apartment to a relative’s apartment a block away.  The Officers noted redness to the victim’s chest and swelling to her jaw. 

The victim testified that she and STRAIT had been dating for a very short time and were homeless.  On August 21, 2024, STRAIT was able to find a room to stay in for the night at a man’s apartment in the building where the assault would occur.  The victim reported to police that, when she and STRAIT went to the apartment’s bedroom, STRAIT turned violent when she asked him to retrieve her drink and a garbage bag from another room. 

She testified that STRAIT pinned her to a wall in the bedroom and put his hand or arm across her throat and she could not breath.  Her hearing was impacted from the assault. 

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth.  Officer Schmidt filed the charges.  DA Vettenburg-Shaffer:  “The crime of strangulation is relatively new in Pennsylvania and the statute was only enacted  in 2016. 

It is a specific type of assault and the legislators gave it its own crime.  Our local Forensic Nurses, have long spoken out about the deadliness of strangulation and have stressed that a very slight amount of pressure is all it takes to interfere with breathing.  The amount of pressure necessary to cause death is very  little.  It is because of that that first responders are trained to screen for that.  The pressure often leaves no injury.” 

STRAIT was convicted of Strangulation (enhancement due to intimate relationship with victim)- (Felony 2) and Simple Assault-(Misdemeanor 2).  After the jury returned its verdict, the Judge entered a finding of guilt of an additional summary offense.

Following the verdict, the Judge increased the bail to $100,000 cash and STRAIT was remanded to the McKean County Jail where he has been since the assault on a probation violation.  STRAIT is scheduled for sentencing on this case and the probation violation on a prior case for May 12.    If you are the victim of domestic violence, services are available at the YWCA by calling the hotline at 1-888-822-6325.

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://mckean.crimewatchpa.com/da/136029/post/man-convicted-strangulation