Chester County man charged with Valentine's Day rape, attempted murder

WEST NOTTINGHAM, Pa. (WPVI) -- Officials say a Chester County man raped a woman with whom he was in a relationship and attempted to murder her cousin on Valentine's Day.

Forty-five-year-old William Brown of West Nottingham has been charged with rape, attempted murder and related offenses.

According to the District Attorney's Office, on Friday, Feb. 12, the female victim was granted a temporary protection from abuse order against Brown after police say he had threatened to kill her with a butcher's knife, as well as threatened to kill himself.

Two days later, on Valentine's Day, the victim was at home with her cousin who stayed overnight for her protection.

Authorities say they had already changed the locks to the home to keep Brown out.

At approximately 8:30 a.m., officials say Brown arrived at the home where he kicked in the front door.

Authorities say he immediately stabbed the cousin in the chest with a butcher's knife then choked the female victim until she became disoriented.

According to officials, Brown told her every time she spoke he would stab the cousin again.

They say Brown then sliced the cousin's face with a box cutter, struck the cousin in the head with a wooden statue and stabbed the cousin in the chest again.

At that time, authorities say the female victim was able to call 911 and hide her cell phone from Brown's sight, leaving an open line for police to respond.

Brown, officials say, then took the woman to the bedroom where he raped her.

When they heard someone at the front door, Brown told the woman to answer it, believing it was her relative.

Instead, it was Pennsylvania State Police troopers who arrested Brown.

The woman and her cousin were taken to the hospital.

The woman's cousin was operated on and is listed in serious but stable condition.

Brown was arraigned and bail was set at $500,000 cash.

He was remanded to the Chester County Prison.