MOSCOW -- A frightening incident over the weekend involving a man and woman erupted in violence, according to police in Lackawanna County.
Now the man is charged with attempted homicide.
Timothy McGoff, 37, of Moscow is locked up after police say he tried to kill the mother of his children over the weekend. According to court papers, McGoff followed Leslie Bacinelli and her boyfriend throughout the Moscow area on Saturday night after he was told he wasn't getting his kids.
According to the affidavit, Bacinelli called police after realizing she and her boyfriend were being followed. Court papers say Bacinelli called 911 twice after the first time she was told state police were too busy.
Court Papers say McGoff hit Bacinelli's vehicle multiple times in a car that police later found was stolen from the Market Street Inn bar. The car eventually hit this guide rail near Interstate 380 where McGoff threatened to kill the mother of his children.
Court papers say when McGoff approached Bacinelli, he grabbed her by the hair and placed a pocket knife in her mouth cutting her lip to her cheek. Police say McGoff then said, "say goodbye, this is your last…breath" and tried to cut the woman's throat with the knife.
Court papers say a thick scarf Bacinelli was wearing prevented him from cutting her throat.
"Anywhere you go there is domestic violence but we're very surprised and very saddened," said Theresa Collins, North Pocono Public Library.
The North Pocono Public Library is just feet away from where the incident happened.
"We believe she is a patron but we wish her well and we're so happy that her scarf apparently saved her life."
Police say they recovered a loaded .22 caliber long rifle in the stolen car and bottles McGoff said were filled with gasoline. When asked what he planned on doing with those bottles he said, "I'll save that for court."
Timothy McGoff remains in the Lackawanna County Prison.
