YARDLEY, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — A 23-year-old Churchville man is charged with criminal homicide and related offenses, accused of fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend in what authorities call a reminder of the deadly danger of domestic violence.
“This is a parent’s worst nightmare — a family's worst nightmare,” said Bucks County District Attorney Jenn Schorn at a press conference on Monday.
Lower Makefield Township police were called to Jaden Battista’s home on Waterford Road in Yardley on Friday around 2:30 p.m. The call came from one of Battista’s friends, who had been on a video call with her. That friend says Battista told her Trevor Weigel had shown up to her house unannounced, was banging on the door, and then climbed in through a window. That’s when the call ended.
Lower Makefield Police Chief Kenneth Colluzzi says the first police officer on the scene saw Weigel outside the home — and before he could exit his patrol vehicle, he saw Weigel chase Battista and tackle her.
“He sees a male brutally and violently stabbing a young 19-year-old female. He tries to take every measure he can to save her life, while other police officers give chase.”
As Weigel ran from the police, they say he stabbed himself in the neck. He is being treated for his injuries and is expected to survive.
Battista died from 15 stab wounds to her neck and chest.
Schorn says the two had dated for about two months and the relationship had recently ended.
According to the criminal complaint, as he was taken into custody, Weigel said he found out she was cheating on him and he “lost it.”
Schorn said this is a "reminder that one can never fully appreciate the lethality of a situation when enduring domestic violence.”
Schorn says they expect to pursue a first-degree murder conviction, which would carry a mandatory life sentence. Weigel is also charged with burglary, possession of an instrument of crime, disorderly conduct and harassment.