Holton Man Pleas To Baseball Bat Attack

Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 6:29 AM

Jeremiah McIntosh

Ripley County Sheriff's Office

(Versailles, Ind.) - A Ripley County man who attacked another man with a baseball bat, killing him, has reached a 20 year plea agreement.

Jeremiah McIntosh, 34, of Holton, could have his plea agreement with prosecutors accepted by the Ripley Circuit Court judge during his sentencing in January. McIntosh would serve 17 years in prison and the remaining three on probation, the Osgood Journal reports.

In exchange for the plea reached December 20, McIntosh will see a charge of Aggravated Battery dismissed. He had faced up to 70 years in prison.

McIntosh was arrested in Florida earlier this year. He had fled there after an April 3 fight at his home with Versailles resident Jeffrey Benham.

Witnesses said a mob of about 40 people including Benham had come to McIntosh’s home on Benham Road in Holton just a day after McIntosh was released from jail on a separate charge.

McIntosh’s brother claimed Jeremiah was only defending himself when he struck Benham, 48, in the head with the bat. Ripley County deputies arrived on the scene and found Benham on the ground bleeding.

Benham died in the hospital two weeks later.

LINKS:

Man In Baseball Bat Attack Charged With Manslaughter