A Marlin man is facing multiple felony charges after Pennsylvania State Police responded to a reported domestic incident early Friday in Norwegian Township.
Gary Klinger, 57, of Marlin, was charged by the Pennsylvania State Police at Schuylkill Haven with the following offenses stemming from an incident on February 20, 2026:
- Strangulation – Applying Pressure to Throat or Neck (Felony 2)
- Aggravated Assault – Attempts to Cause Serious Bodily Injury or Causes Injury with Extreme Indifference (Felony 1)
- Simple Assault (Misdemeanor 2)
- Harassment – Subject Other to Physical Contact (Summary)
According to court documents, Troopers were dispatched at approximately 11:47 a.m. on February 20 to E. Maple Avenue in Norwegian Township for the report of an inactive domestic incident.
Upon arrival, Troopers made contact with the victim who reported that she had been involved in a physical altercation earlier that morning with her husband, Gary Klinger.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, the victim stated she confronted the defendant about brown water in the home. She told Troopers that the defendant began yelling at her before allegedly attacking her and placing his hands around her neck. The victim reported that the defendant cut off her airway for approximately three seconds while telling her he was going to kill her.
The victim was able to get away from the defendant and ran into the backyard to call 911.
While interviewing the victim, the investigating Trooper reported observing redness around her neck and photographed the injuries.
Troopers also interviewed the defendant at the scene. According to the affidavit, Klinger stated that he was woken up by the victim yelling about the water being brown and claimed she grabbed him by the wrist while holding a stick. When asked if anything physical occurred, he again stated that she grabbed him by the wrist. Troopers reported observing no visible injuries on the defendant.
Klinger was taken into custody at the scene and transported to the Pennsylvania State Police barracks in Schuylkill Haven for processing.
He was arraigned before on-call Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker of Shenandoah and committed to Schuylkill County Prison on $50,000 straight cash bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 3, 2026 before Magisterial District Judge Edward Lewis.
All charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
--------------------------------------