Willis man accused of breaking baseball bat over friend's head during drunken argument

By Lee Higgins Crime and courts reporter

Posted on Tue, Feb 22, 2011 : 2:34 p.m.

A Willis man was jailed this morning after Michigan State Police troopers say he broke a wooden baseball bat over his friend's head during a drunken argument about NASCAR at their apartment complex.

Henry Joe Parker, 47, is charged with assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to commit great bodily harm less than murder, assault with a dangerous weapon and resisting and obstructing police.

Henry Joe Parker

Troopers say Parker hit his 50-year old friend on the head with the bat and a 5-pound steel weight during an argument at their friend's apartment on Willis Road. One of their friends broke up the fight and called 911, Sgt. Chris Pascoe said.

The victim was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, but Pascoe did not have details on his condition. Parker and the victim each had a blood-alcohol level of .19, troopers said.

Parker was jailed at about 7:15 a.m. today, officials said, after being checked out at the hospital. He was arraigned this afternoon, but bond information is not yet available.

State Department of Corrections records show Parker was released from prison in September after serving more than six years for a conviction in Lenawee County of assault with intent to commit great bodily harm less than murder.