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Woman's Estranged Husband Charged With Attempted Murder, Rape In Valentine's Day Attack

By Jim Melwert

WEST NOTTINGHAM Twp., Pa. (CBS) -- Police credit a secret 9-1-1 call for saving the lives of two people in a brutal Valentine's Day attack in southern Chester County. Now, her estranged husband is charged with attempted murder and rape.

Just two days before the attack, the victim was granted a protection from abuse order against her husband, 45-year-old William Brown, after police say he threatened to kill her.

On Valentine's Day, the victim's cousin was staying with her to help protect her, but police say Brown kicked in the door, stabbed the cousin repeatedly in the chest and slashed his face with a box cutter, then he dragged the woman to the bedroom and raped her.

Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan, during the attack, the woman was able to dial 9-1-1 and hide her phone under a pillow, preventing what he says, likely would have been a double-murder.

"That allowed the police to realize an attack was going on because there was an open 9-1-1 line, the victim also mentioned her address."

When State Troopers arrived, they took the 5'10", 250 pound Brown into custody, he's being held in the county prison on half a million dollars cash bail.

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