Man accused of trying to gouge out his father's eyes

Charles Erickson IV

Posted: August 29, 2012

A Warminster man tried to gouge out his father’s eyes and then attacked Northampton police officers who were trying to arrest him, breaking one officer’s hand, police said.

Charles Erickson IV, 31, of the 600 block of East Street Road, attacked his father, Charles Erickson III, 61, in his Northampton home early Sunday morning, injuring him so badly that blood seeped out of his eyes, police said.

When officers responded to a report of an assault about 3:30 a.m., they found the elder Erickson, dressed only in underwear, at a gas station at routes 232 and 332. He was bleeding from his face and told police his son was “trying to kill him” and that he was still in the family house, according to court documents.

Two police officers went to the home on the 100 block of Strawberry Lane, but no one answered the door.

After the father gave them permission to enter, the officers found a bizarre scene, according to court documents.

Downstairs, water was pouring through the dining room ceiling. Upstairs, police found the younger Erickson on the floor of the master bathroom. His legs were tucked up to his chest and his arms folded up to the side of his head with his fists clenched, police said.

The bathroom floor was covered in blood and water, and water was gushing from a broken toilet, police said.

Cpl. Christopher Cully and Patrolman Ryan Share repeatedly ordered Erickson to lie face down on the floor, but he ignored their commands and attempted to avoid arrest, according to court documents.

Cully fired a Taser into Erickson’s lower back area while Share sprayed his face with pepper spray. Share then attempted for a second time to handcuff the suspect, but Erickson continued kicking and throwing his arms, court records show. During the confrontation, Share broke his right hand.

Both of the Ericksons and Share were taken to St. Mary Medical Center in Middletown for treatment. The older Erickson was later transferred to Wills Eye Hospital for additional treatment.

His eyes were swollen with blood seeping through them, according to court records, and he had numerous scratches on his face and head along with “substantial” bruising on his nose, cheeks and mouth.

The older Erickson later told police that his son had pushed him to the ground and started choking him before going for his eyes.

The younger Erickson was discharged from St. Mary on Tuesday and arraigned before Northampton District Judge William Benz on five felony assault charges, including three counts of aggravated assault, as well as related misdemeanor and summary offenses. He was sent to Bucks County prison in lieu of 10 percent of $75,000.

Jo Ciavaglia: 215-949-4181; email: jciavaglia@phillyBurbs.com; Twitter: @jociavaglia