A 39-year-old Salem man has been charged with aggravated battery with the use of a deadly weapon and simple misdemeanor battery in connection with an altercation on a Salem street corner just after midnight Friday morning.
Salem Police Chief Kyle Ambuehl says Neal Durham, who also has addresses in Kinmundy and Xenia, is accused of slashing across the back of the head of 39-year-old Shaun Swieca of Salem, and battery to Bailee Lyday of Salem whom he allegedly had words with before shoving her off her bike.
The incident occurred near the intersection of Schwartz and Pearl Street. Ambuehl says Swieca walked to the nearby Motomart for help and they called 911. Swieca was transported by United Medical Response to Salem Township Hospital where he was treated and released for his injuries.
Witnesses identified Durham as the person involved. Durham was reportedly sitting in a vehicle at the Schwartz and Pearl intersection after circling the block. At that time, Durham allegedly jumped out of the vehicle and started the altercation with Bailey. The stabbing allegedly occurred when Swieca tried to defend her. Bailey did not require hospital treatment.
Durham was later located by a Marion County Sheriff Deputy during a traffic stop on the Kinlou Road just across the Clay County Line. He was arrested without incident.
Judge Mark Stedelin rejected the prosecution’s request to hold Durham without bond during his first court appearance Friday afternoon. He was ordered to stay away from the two victims and is subject to GPS monitoring.
