Clarion County Man Allegedly Threatened to Kill Man Several Times Before Rifle Discharged

Kari McQuiston

Kari McQuiston

Published July 6, 2017 4:44 am
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MADISON TWP., Pa. — Additional details have been released in an alleged attempted homicide in Madison Township, Clarion County.

Dennis Golden Reesman, 60, is facing the following charges in connection with the incident:

  • Criminal Attempt — Criminal Homicide
  • Aggravated Assault, Felony 1
  • Aggravated Assault, Felony 2
  • Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 1
  • Terroristic Threats W/ Int To Terrorize Another, Misdemeanor 1 (4 counts)
  • Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Misdemeanor 2 (2 counts)

According to a criminal complaint filed by Tpr. Manns, the charges stem from an incident that occurred July 4 around 9:45 a.m. on private property located at 6509 State Route 68.

Multiple troopers were dispatched to the scene after police received a call from the victim stating that Reesman fired a rifle at him.

The criminal complaint states the incident occurred after Reesman arrived at the property in a white Saturn coupe and approached the victim.

The victim, who was seated on a lawn mower, stopped mowing grass when he saw Reesman approaching him with the rifle.

According to the criminal complaint, Reesman allegedly pointed the .22 caliber rifle at the victim’s face and stated that he was “tired of him.”

The victim grabbed the rifle and forced the barrel away from his face. At this point, the rifle discharged and struck a travel trailer behind the victim.

A scuffle ensued and the victim eventually gained control of the rifle, pinning it underneath himself. Reesman then allegedly jumped on top of the victim and used his knee and/or elbow to pin him to the ground by his neck. The victim remained on top of the rifle while pinned to the ground.

During the scuffle, Reesman allegedly stated numerous times that he was going to kill the victim and, at one point, allegedly said “you are dead.”

Reesman also allegedly stated that he would “cut” the victim, according to the criminal complaint.

Reesman eventually agreed to leave the property, but would not do so without his rifle.

The victim ensured the rifle was unloaded and returned it to Reesman.

Reesman returned to his nearby home and parked behind the residence. He then allegedly hid the rifle under an adjacent black Chevrolet Cavalier.

Police located the Saturn and found fresh tire tracks showing both the path and direction of travel through the grass behind his residence.

A machete was found in plain view on the passenger side of the Saturn. The rifle was recovered from underneath the black Chevrolet Cavalier.

Both the victim and Reesman had numerous minor lacerations, abrasions, and red marks consistent with being involved in a scuffle.

Reesman was taken into custody without incident.

He remains lodged in the Clarion County Jail on $500,000 cash bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 18 at 1:30 p.m. with Judge Jeffrey Miller presiding.

Police Searching for Witnesses

Clarion-based State Police are searching for possible witnesses to the incident.

“We believe that one or more motorists may have observed a portion of this crime,” said Clarion-based State Police Tpr. Manns in a release issued Wednesday morning.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crime is urged to contact Tpr. Manns at 814-226-1710.

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