By Tia Lyons
Staff Writer
An El Dorado man remains jailed on a charge for first-degree battery in which he seriously injured another man in an attack with a baseball bat, according to an El Dorado police report.
Joseph Z. Allen, 37, of 818 School, is scheduled for a first appearance hearing Monday in 35th Judicial District Court on charges of first-degree battery and parole violation.
Allen was arrested Friday after he was accused of attacking 47-year-old William D. Lewis, of Calion, with a baseball bat.
Police responded just before 9 a.m. to a report of a disturbance at the School Street residence.
Lewis told officers that Allen had struck him in the back with a baseball bat and had gone inside the residence.
Lewis said he was working on a residence in the area when Allen approached him and accused him of calling police on Allen in reference to an unrelated incident that had occurred earlier that morning.
Lewis said Allen also threatened him with bodily harm if he didn't leave.
A witness, who is related to Allen and who was working with Lewis at the time, told Allen that he had called police and would call officers again if Allen didn't leave.
According to a police report, Allen "became enraged," picked up an aluminum baseball bat from the porch and advanced toward Lewis.
Allen reportedly told Lewis, "It's going to cost you," just before swinging the bat and striking Lewis in the back, just below the right shoulder blade.
Lewis said he began running with Allen in pursuit. He said Allen continued to swing the bat and threaten him.
Allen stopped chasing Lewis, placed the bat against a tree and went inside his residence, Lewis said.
Police said they told Allen's relative to ask Allen to come outside and speak to them.
The relative returned a short time later and said Allen had left the residence through the back door.
Police took Allen into custody in the area of Robert E. Lee and Marsh. He told officers he had just left 818 School but he had not been involved in an altercation.
Lewis was transported by ambulance to Medical Center of South Arkansas for treatment. Police said Lewis sustained four broken ribs in the attack.
Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or by email at [email protected].