Slashing Attack By Exton Neighbor Results In Attempted Murder Arrest

EXTON, PA — A 53-year-old Exton man is in Chester County Prison Wednesday in lieu of $250,000 bail on attempted murder and related charges for slashing a neighbor on the neck with a folding knife.

Glenn Phillips, of the 400 block of Rennard Drive in the Exton section of Uwchlan Township, was arraigned before District Judge Paige Simmons on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, and related offenses.

Police said Phillips stabbed Charles Oswald, 44, in the neck and back on June 15 during a brawl near their residences.

Phillips and Oswald were backyard neighbors.

Phillips resides in Uwchlan Township, and Oswald’s home on Biddle Drive is in West Whiteland Township.

Oswald was taken to Paoli Hospital, where he was treated for stab wounds.

Oswald's wife, Marnie, said Wednesday in an interview with Patch that her husband is still in the hospital recovering from two stab wounds to the back, a cut in the neck, a collapsed lung, and 20 stitches.

Phillips’ attorney, Ryan Hyde of Exton, in an interview with Patch Wednesday, said the two men have been arguing for years about trees and a fence between the two properties.

Hyde said this is a case of self-defense.

“Phillips wasn’t looking for a fight,” Hyde said. “A video will show that my client was punched in the face and was defending himself. We are blessed that no one died.”

Marnie Oswald countered the comments by Phillips' lawyer, stating Phillips started the dispute by spitting in her husband's face.

"This is not a case of self-defense," Marnie Oswald said, noting there are videos of the incident.

Oswald said that Phillips trees are hanging over the driveway and fence.

"Everyone needs to take care of their properties," she said.

According to police, Uwchlan police responded to the incident at 5:47 p.m.

Sgt. Stephen Saraceni said when he arrived he saw Oswald standing near a van with a large amount of blood on his neck. He said there was a pool of blood on the roadway.

“During the altercation, Phillips stabbed and slashed Oswald with a folding knife causing significant injury,” Saraceni wrote in the police report.