Pa. man sentenced for fatally assaulting girlfriend who was found unresponsive with bite marks

BRADFORD, Pa. (TCN) -- A man will spend 18 to 36 years in prison plus one year of consecutive reentry supervision for assaulting his girlfriend in 2021, causing injuries that led to her death.

The McKean County District Attorney’s Office announced Anthony Fenton’s sentencing guidelines on Aug. 12. A jury convicted Fenton in June of the criminal homicide — third-degree murder of his girlfriend, Tammy Prosser, as well as aggravated assault, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person.

According to the Bradford Police Department, on May 10, 2021, officers and Bradford City Fire and EMS responded to an apartment, where they found Tammy Prosser unresponsive on the floor. Prosecutors said officials observed severe swelling to her head and neck and bruising to her upper chest. She was transported to the hospital but never regained consciousness and succumbed to her injuries.

Fenton reportedly told authorities that Prosser had fallen down the stairs of their apartment. However, prosecutors said it appeared she was the victim of an assault. Police had a forensic nurse test apparent bite marks on the victim and collect other evidence.

During a subsequent interview, the defendant reportedly reiterated that his girlfriend fell down the stairs while they were on their way to purchase beer. He allegedly claimed that after she fell, he helped her, and they continued to the store. According to the district attorney’s office, a cashier working at the store said Prosser didn’t appear to have any injuries, and she seemed to be walking okay.

Authorities obtained surveillance footage that disputed Fenton’s statement.

In reference to the bite marks, Fenton reportedly said that when they got home, Prosser wanted to have "rough sex" even though she had fallen down the stairs.

According to prosecutors, an autopsy ruled the victim’s death a homicide, and investigators learned she suffered multiple traumas. Officials also reportedly concluded Prosser’s injuries were not consistent with falling down the stairs.

The district attorney’s office said a biomechanist testified "that the object used to inflict the injuries to Tammy would have had a hard edge that could have been footwear."

A DNA expert also testified and reportedly said the defendant’s DNA was found on the bite marks, under the victim’s nails, and on her clothes. Prosser’s DNA was found on the defendant’s boot, according to the district attorney’s office.

Former friends allegedly witnessed the defendant threatening his girlfriend in the past. Prosecutors said, "Their willingness to provide information and testify was important to the verdict."

Fenton was originally charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person. The criminal homicide charge was added following Prosser’s death.

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