Victim Of Baseball Bat Beating Still Hospitalized

SNOW HILL -- An altercation following a rural-road rendezvous on New Year's Eve has left one man hospitalized and another facing serious assault charges.

Kenneth Lee Wharton III, 18, of Snow Hill has been charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, armed robbery and theft after he allegedly beat 21-year-old Kendrick Lee Hall with a baseball bat.

According to court documents, both men met at Snow Hill Middle School on Friday before driving, in separate cars, to the end of Brick Kiln Road.

In charging documents, police allege Wharton demanded money and Hall's Droid X smart phone before beginning to beat him with a baseball bat.

Wharton told police that after driving to the location around 2 a.m., Hall "grabbed him and attempted to kiss him." Wharton admitted to hitting Hall "six or seven times," but maintained he never took the smart phone or stole $10, according to police. The men are considered to be acquaintances, police say.

On Monday, Hall was in fair condition at Peninsula Regional Medical Center after suffering a parietal bone fracture, a minimally depressed skull, hematoma, brain contusion, nasal bone fractures, an orbital wall fracture and numerous bruises on his back, according to court documents filed in District Court to support the charges against Wharton.

Dr. David Kerrigan, a trauma surgeon at PRMC, said patients who experience bleeding in or around the brain are given at least one year to recover and can experience an array of short- and long-term symptoms.

"If a patient gets good care, even in optimum circumstances they can have bad results," said Kerrigan. "On the flip side, you can have great results with very little invasive treatment."

Kerrigan, who was not speaking directly about Hall's condition, said side effects of similar brain and head injuries can range from headaches and migraines to bouts of depression and difficulty with everyday tasks.

Wharton has been released on bond, pending a preliminary hearing scheduled on Jan. 28.

www.delmarvanow.com

Assault and Robbery Gets Snow Hill Man Arrested

Police in Worcester County have arrested a Snow Hill man after an assault and robbery on New Year’s Eve. The victim met 18 year old Kenneth Wharton along the roadside near Snow Hill Friday night. Wharton got out of his vehicle with a baseball bat, demanded the victim’s cell phone and cash, and then beat him with the bat. The victim was able to get home to call for help – he’s in stable condition at PRMC in Salisbury. Wharton is being held in default of $25,000 bond.

NEWS RELEASE: DATE/TIME: December 31, 2010
LOCATION: Snow Hill, Worcester County, MD.
SUSPECT: Kenneth Lee Wharton, 3rd. Male age 18, Algonquin Trail, Snow Hill,
Worcester County, Maryland.
Victim: Kendrick Hall, male (from) Pocomoke, MD.
CHARGES: First degree assault, Second degree assault, Reckless endangerment, Armed robbery, Theft less than $500.00 and Theft less than $100.

Narrative:
On 12/31/10 at approximately 1200 hours, Worcester County Bureau of Investigations received information that a victim identified as Kendrick Hall was transported by ambulance to Peninsula Regional Medical Center for numerous injuries regarding an assault/robbery.

Investigator’s responded to PRMC and made contact with the victim. The victim identified the suspect as Kenneth Lee Wharton, 3rd from Snow Hill, Maryland, stating the two were acquaintances.

During the early morning hours of December 31, 2010 the victim and the suspect met along a roadside, just off of Rt 113 (located) in Snow Hill, Worcester Co. Md. The victim states, upon the two of them stopping their vehicles and exiting, the suspect immediately approached the victim, with a baseball bat in his hand. The suspect demanded the victim’s cellular telephone and currency. The victim, states he gave the suspect $10 in US Currency and his cell phone (Motorola Driod “X” smart phone).

After the suspect received the items from the victim, the suspect then started to
hit the victim with the baseball bat multiple times, about the head and body area.
The victim fell to the ground and the suspect then re-entered his vehicle and left
the area. The victim, was bleeding profusely, but was able to re-enter his vehicle and drove himself to his residence, where he seek emergency assistance and was transported by ambulance to PRMC.

The suspect was located at his residence and was arrested without incident. The suspect is currently being held at the Worcester County Detention Center, on
$25,000.00 bond.

The victim is listed in stable condition at PRMC and is believed he will make a full recovery.

www.wgmd.com