New Kensington man accused of assaulting another man with a baseball bat

A New Kensington man remains behind bars after, police say, he beat another man with a baseball bat, sending him to the intensive care unit.

Brian Douglas Mikesell, 50, was charged with two counts of felony aggravated assault and a misdemeanor count of possessing an instrument of crime.

Mikesell was arraigned Thursday before New Kensington District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr.

Online court records indicate Pallone denied bail, because “no combination of conditions” would ensure Mikesell’s appearance at the preliminary hearing or the safety of the victims.

According to court papers, New Kensington police responded to the 1800 block of Rebecca Street at 9:43 p.m. Wednesday for reports of a man struck repeatedly with a baseball bat and bleeding from his head.

Mikesell had left the scene before police arrived, the complaint said. Police located a man in the home in “excruciating pain” and bleeding significantly from his head. He was unable to tell police what had happened other than to say that “Brian” hit him in the head and ribs with a baseball bat.

EMS crews took the man to a hospital in critical condition.

A witness told police Mikesell had come up from the basement bathroom with the baseball bat and motioned as if he was going to swing it at the man, the complaint said. Mikesell then struck the man numerous times with the bat.

A witness was able to take the bat from Mikesell. The witness told police that Mikesell said, “Just let me do him, I’ll get rid of the body,” before leaving the house, the complaint said.

Officers went to the hospital to visit the man, where he was in the intensive care unit for several injuries to his head, face and torso.

Mikesell is being held in the Westmoreland County jail. A preliminary hearing before Pallone is scheduled for Thursday.