March 29, 2024

Man charged in baseball bat fight pleads not guilty

A Newton man charged with two felonies after allegedly using a baseball bat in a fight in front of Newton High School has pleaded not guilty.

Eugene C. Porter, 62, was arrested and charged with willful injury - serious assault and going armed with intent on April 1. The Newton Police Department was called to circle drive in front of Newton High School at about 11:25 a.m. regarding a fight between two men, both of whom left the scene in separate vehicles.

Porter had allegedly been assaulting the 46-year-old man with a wooden baseball bat.

The police caught up to Porter and detained him several blocks away. They also found the 46-year-old man, who was treated by the Newton Fire Department in the alley behind Hawkeye Car Credit, along First Avenue East between East Third Street and East Fourth Street.

The 46-year-old man was then questioned by police and taken to Skiff Medical Center with lacerations to the back of his head, but had no apparent life-threatening injuries.