City man charged with choking EMS worker waives preliminary hearing

A city man charged with choking a Lancaster EMS worker who was attempting to help him will have his case proceed to county court after waiving his preliminary hearing last month.

Rashaun Marquis Sligh, who has no fixed address, waived his preliminary hearing before Judge John Bender on Nov. 14 on charges of aggravated assault, evading arrest or detention on foot, resisting arrest, use or possession of drug paraphernalia and public drunkenness.

Sligh, 33, is accused of choking the victim, a Lancaster EMS captain, as he was rendering him aid near the intersection of South Water and West Farnum streets in Lancaster city the morning of Nov. 6.

First responders had initially been dispatched to the intersection shortly before 7 a.m. after Sligh was found unconscious on the ground.

As the victim began rendering aid Sligh suddenly grabbed him by the throat and began choking him. A bystander had to assist the victim in freeing himself from Sligh’s chokehold.

Police attempted to stop Sligh as he fled the scene on foot and ignored officer’s commands. Two police officers eventually subdued Sligh in the first block of South Prince Street where he continued to physically rests arrest, requiring an officer to use a stun gun.

After being arrested Sligh continued to make excited, nonsensical statements and appeared disoriented and under the influence of a controlled substance. In a subsequent search officers found glass crack pipes and a marijuana grinder in Sligh’s possession.

Sligh remains in Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Lancaster City Bureau of Police Officer Jason Windlebleck filed the charges.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.