Assault charges dropped against Potter Township man

Assault charges were withdrawn Wednesday against a Potter Township man allegedly involved in a domestic incident on Oct. 29.

Braiden S. Lee, 23, had initially been charged with a felony count of aggravated assault and misdemeanor counts of simple assault and reckless endangerment after reportedly injuring Michael L. Yearick, 37. Yearick had allegedly been in an altercation with his wife at the time and was trying to re-enter the residence through a window.

Yearick had partially regained entry through the window when Lee had reportedly taken a knife and poked it out the window at Yearick, the CDT previously reported. Police said Yearick sustained a cut hand and a puncture wound on his nose and inner corner of his eye.

Yearick, who was charged with a felony count of strangulation and a misdemeanor count of simple assault, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday.

District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller said as the case was prepared for the preliminary hearing, a credible self-defense claim became apparent. The assistant district attorney spoke with Lee personally, she said, and, after assessing the evidence, believed the best thing to do would be to drop the charges.

“He was justified in his actions,” Parks Miller said.

Lee’s attorney, Elizabeth Ramos, could not be reached for comment.

This story was originally published November 8, 2017 at 4:55 PM with the headline "Assault charges dropped against Potter Township man."