[PA] Chief Mench's domestic violence case after his stress-related resignation

...The grandchildren ran to a neighbor's house and called police...

RETIRED LAURELDALE POLICE CHIEF WAIVES HEARING IN DOMESTIC ASSAULT The Reading Eagle
10/14/2008
[Excerpt]Former Laureldale police Chief Edward W. Mench Jr. has waived a hearing on charges he assaulted his wife in their borough residence in August. Mench, 56, who has since moved to Reading, was charged with aggravated and simple assault, making terroristic threats and harassment. He remains free in lieu of $50,000 bail following the appearance before District Judge Andrea J. Book on Oct. 1. Police said the assault occurred Aug. 1 about 7 p.m. in the 3500 block of Gray Street, where Mench lived at the time. Marcia Mench suffered bruises and a knee injury and was treated in a local hospital, officials said. According to court documents. The assault occurred after Marcia Mench returned home with the couple's two grandchildren. Mench pushed his wife into the kitchen counter, then to the floor at least twice. When she got up, Mench raised his fists and dared his wife to hit him. When she refused, Mench hit her in the arm, knocking her to the floor. He grabbed a phone out of her hand and again knocked her to the floor. As Mench headed to the children's room, his wife hit him on the back of his head with a frying pan. Mensch then threw her to the floor. The grandchildren ran to a neighbor's house and called police... [Full article here]

From a couple of months back:

EX-CHIEF FACING ASSAULT CHARGE: EDWARD W. MENCH JR., A FORMER LAURELDALE POLICE CHIEF, PUSHED AND HIT HIS WIFE DURING AN ARGUMENT, POLICE SAY. Reading Eagle, Pa.
Aug. 5
[Excerpts] ...When Mench's wife went outside, he followed her and threatened to kill her... Marcia Mench was sitting quietly with her head down when police arrived... Laureldale police Chief Ronald D. Fisher Jr. refused to comment. Mench retired from the Laureldale force in April 2005 after taking an extended stress-related leave. He had been chief for 12 years. Mench was arraigned Saturday in Reading Central Court before District Judge Dean R. Patton. [Full article here]