A Bad Axe man was found guilty this Tuesday for assaulting a former friend with a metal training bat. Connor Lee Wichert, 27 of Bad Axe, was found guilty of Assault with Intent to do Great Bodily Harm Less than Murder following a one day jury trial in the 52nd Circuit Court.
The charges stem from an incident on February 26, 2022, after several friends returned to Wichert’s Bad Axe home after an evening out at a local bar. According to witness testimony, the evening went normally until the early morning hours when Wichert and his victim got into a physical altercation.
Weapon used for the assault
The victim testified that he perceived it to be simply a wrestling match while Wichert claimed it was an attack. The victim testified that he “tapped out” and thought the wrestling match was over, but Wichert then went to his bedroom and retrieved an aluminum training bat before proceeding to assault the victim repeatedly with the weapon.
The jury heard testimony from Officer Brianna Guza of the Bad Axe Police Department, who took the original complaint at the hospital, as well as testimony from the emergency physician. Wichert testified on his own behalf, asserting self-defense by claiming that the victim charged at him and the only way he could stop the attacks was by using the training bat.
Assault with Intent to do Great Bodily Harm Less than Murder is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for January 22, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. before the Hon. Gerald M. Prill. Wichert was permitted to remain free on bond despite objection from the prosecution.
