Allegheny Township man accused of strangling woman ordered to stand trial on felony charge

Tony LaRussa | Sunday, January 22, 2023 11:01 a.m.

Tony LaRussa | Tribune-Review

An Allegheny Township man was ordered to stand trial for allegedly strangling a woman.

Robert Lee Stewart, 52, of the 1200 block of Hancock Avenue, was charged with a felony count of strangulation along with counts of simple assault and harassment.

Allegheny Township police wrote in a criminal complaint charging Stewart that they responded to a call for a domestic dispute at his home shortly before 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15.

By the time police arrived Stewart was gone, the complaint said. The woman told officers that Stewart hit her in the head and choked her until she couldn’t breathe. She managed to flee.

Police said the woman had bruising at her hairline and red marks on her neck where she said Stewart grabbed her.

Stewart waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 17 before District Judge Cheryl Peck Yakopec, who ordered him to stand trial, according to court records.

Stewart was released on a $25,000 cash bond while awaiting trial in Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court. Formal arraignment is scheduled for March 29.