Woman charged with third-degree murder after fatally stabbing man in Penns Valley
A woman was arrested and charged Wednesday with third-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of a man inside her Penns Valley home.
Brittany Guisewhite, 28, was accused of killing Robert Farwell, 26, after an argument in Haines Township. The two had a “tumultuous relationship,” before Farwell was killed April 8, state police at Rockview wrote in an affidavit of probable cause.
Centre County Assistant Public Defender Shannon Malone pushed back against the allegations during Guisewhite’s preliminary arraignment, saying there was a “strong indicator” she was acting in self-defense.
“We have a very, very strong defense in this case,” Malone said. “Quite frankly, I’m surprised it was charged.”
The argument unfolded during the pre-dawn hours while Guisewhite was under the influence of illegal drugs. She barricaded herself in her bedroom, emerged with a steak knife in hand and “lunged” toward Farwell, police wrote.
The blow fractured one of Farwell’s ribs, punctured his lung and lacerated his heart, police wrote. He died of the laceration to his heart, Centre County Deputy Coroner Brian Burns wrote.
Guisewhite did not deny stabbing Farwell. She told passersby “it was an accident” and she “didn’t mean to,” police wrote. In April, she told investigators Farwell threatened to “kill her” and tried to enter the bedroom by kicking in the door.
A woman who lived with Guisewhite for more than a year told police she never saw Farwell physically strike Guisewhite. The Spring Mills man was “always trying to check on Guisewhite’s welfare,” she told police.
Guisewhite was charged with one felony count each of third-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault. She was also charged with one ungraded misdemeanor count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
Centre County President Judge Pamela Ruest set bail at $250,000. Guisewhite did not post bail and is detained at the Centre County Correctional Facility.
Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 3.
This story was originally published October 20, 2021 at 2:27 PM.