North Whitehall Men Arrested for Beating Wife and Family Member Christmas Eve

Tensions were high in the Melcher home this Christmas Eve. When Beatrice Melcher returned to her home at 2640 Levans Rd., about 11 p.m., she told Pennsylvania State Police that her husband, Michael Christopher Melcher, 39, was waiting.

When she tried to enter her house she said her husband pushed her, then grabbed her and a struggle began.

During the struggle the wife said her husband wrapped his hand around her hair and tried to slam her to the ground. As the struggle continued, the wife said her husband smashed her off an aluminum shed leaving a dent in the shed.

During this time, a second witness, Giovanni Cobreri, told police that Melcher's step brother, Nathaniel Christopher Melcher, picked up an electrical conduit pipe and hit Michael Melcher in the back area.

Next, Cobreri said Michael pushed Nathaniel and the pipe fell to the ground. Cobreri told police that Michael then picked up the pipe and tried to hit his wife with it. 

At this time Cobreri said he picked up a shovel and hit Michael in the hand area to get him to drop the pipe. Michael responded by hitting Cobreri in the head with the pipe and Cobreri dropped the shovel.

Nathaniel tried to help Cobreri but another member of the Melcher family, Christopher Luciani Melcher, 20, punched Nathaniel in the face. Michael and Christopher then started to kick and punch Cobreri as he lay on the ground.

Cobreri told police he and the rest of his family managed to escape and ran to a neighbor's house to call police.

Christopher and Michael, charged with simple assault, conspiracy and harassment, were both arrested and held in Lehigh County Prison as they were unable to make bail. Magisterial Judge Wayna Maura handled the arraignment.