Police say a frantic 911 call from a Cranberry Township home captured a woman screaming for help, and it ended with a local man in handcuffs. Officers arrested 48-year-old Joseph Birsa and charged him with strangulation, simple assault, and harassment after the alleged victim told them he put a knife to her throat, threw several items, and strangled her. Birsa was taken to Butler County Prison on a $25,000 bond, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for tomorrow.
What police say
Officers responded last Wednesday after a 911 caller could be heard yelling for help, and the alleged victim later told police Birsa had strangled her and threatened her with a knife, according to ButlerRadio. She also told investigators he threw several items during the altercation before leaving the scene, the outlet reports. That combination of the 911 recording and the woman’s statement led to the criminal charges now filed against Birsa.
How the law treats strangulation
Pennsylvania law defines strangulation as knowingly or intentionally impeding another person’s breathing or blood circulation by applying pressure to the throat or neck or by blocking the nose and mouth. The statute also spells out that prosecutors do not need visible injury to bring a case. The offense is generally a misdemeanor, but it can be elevated, for example, to a felony when it involves a family or household member, depending on the circumstances. The full language appears in Title 18 § 2718.
Local pattern of domestic violence cases
Cranberry Township and Butler County have seen a string of domestic assault cases that include strangulation allegations, a pattern that has local officials and advocates on edge. In November 2024, a Cranberry man was charged with strangulation and simple assault after an altercation at a township home, according to the Butler Eagle. The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association and local prosecutors have publicly pushed for tougher handling of strangulation cases, citing research that links nonfatal strangulation to a higher risk of later homicide, the association has said.
Next steps and help for survivors
Birsa remains in Butler County Prison on $25,000 bond and is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 20, according to ButlerRadio. Survivors of domestic violence, or anyone in immediate danger, can contact VOICE, Butler County’s victim-services provider, at 724-283-8700, or reach the 24-hour hotline at 1-800-400-8551, per VOICE.
