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By JEFF WALSH; Times Leader Staff Writer
Friday, October 20, 1995 Page: 3A
WILKES-BARRE — Assistant District Attorney Charles Coslett said his wife’s
goal was to “take me down professionally” by filing a protection from abuse
petition against him last week.
Donna Coslett denied his allegation and testified Thursday that she was
physically attacked and verbally abused throughout their 15-year marriage.
After a hearing of more than two hours, Donna Coslett was granted a
one-year protection from abuse order and temporary custody of the couple’s
three children — a daughter, 6, and two sons, ages 9 and 12.
Luzerne County District Attorney Peter Paul Olszewski Jr. said, “I’ve
talked to Charlie about the incident. I’m aware of it and it would be
inappropriate to comment further on it.”
Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge Ann Lokuta told the couple to
file for a custody hearing to determine with whom the children should reside.
Coslett’s eldest son has chosen to live with his father since the couple
separated and his mother filed for a divorce.
Donna Coslett was represented by attorney George Clark of Scranton, and
Charles Coslett represented himself.
Donna Coslett said her husband attempted to hit her with a baseball bat and
tried to suffocate her with an afghan as she packed to leave home on Sept. 29.
She also said he painfully pinched her inner thighs and put a rope around her
neck in an attempt to strangle her that day.
“I’ve put people away for assault, I’m not stupid enough to commit it,”
Charles Coslett said.
Donna Coslett testified that her husband previously told her that if she
called the police, nothing would happen because “this is his county.”
The petition alleged that an assault by Charles Coslett on his wife two
days before their 1980 wedding left her with bruises on her hand.
She said she filed for a protection order on Oct. 13 after Charles Coslett
called their children’s school to find out where she is living.
Charles Coslett questioned why his wife never called police about the
alleged abuse. “I was trying to keep this private,” she said.
Charles Coslett said he has a “trigger temper” and there were marital
difficulties, but at no time was she ever in danger.
“She’s still the apple of my eye,” he said. “This is breaking my heart. We
had something very special that has been taken away. I don’t understand these
allegations because they’re not truthful.”
Charles Coslett
Denies assault allegations