A St. Joseph man is accused of trying to beat another man with a baseball bat after getting into a fight with his ex-girlfriend.

21-year-old Dakota Penland is charged in Buchanan County with a felony for second degree assault.

According to court documents police responded Wednesday to the 1600 block of Blackwell Rd.

“The defendant went to the above listed address where he was in an altercation with his ex-girlfriend,” Officer Jason Norton with the St. Joseph Police Department stated. “The girlfriend requested the help of the victim who lives next door to make the defendant leave the house.”

Norton said when the neighbor entered a bedroom Penland allegedly swung a bat and hit him in the left elbow.

“The victim grabbed the defendant and held onto him until police arrived,” Norton said. “The defendant has made verbal threats to kill the victim and his family.”

Norton said the victim received several injuries during the altercation.

“The victim received a bruised left eye which was swollen shut and scratches to his elbow, knee and feet,” Norton said. “The injuries to his eye and elbow were from being struck by the bat. The scratches were from the struggle to subdue the defendant.”

Penland is being held on $15,000 cash only bond.  An arraignment is set for Oct. 20.