A Jefferson Township man charged in the baseball bat beating of a West Middlesex man stipulated Wednesday at a preliminary hearing that if witnesses were called police would be able to implicate him in the case.

Matthew L. Pumphrey, 18, of 201 Charleston Road, is charged with aggravated and simple assault and reckless endangerment. District Justice Henry J. Russo, Hermitage, held all charges for court.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Kochems said he would only arraign Pumphrey on aggravated assault, the most serious charge, in Mercer County Common Pleas Court, which could pave the way for a plea.

Kochems said he would only accept a plea to that charge.

Pumphrey, represented by Assistant Public Defender Timothy Blatt, is charged with beating Lincoln J. Rombold, 18, of West Middlesex on Dec. 7.

Pumphrey was with two Shenango Township girls in a van that day and called Rombold from a cellular telephone to inform Rombold that he was on his way, police said.

Pumphrey and one of the girls got out the van at Oak Leaf Estates mobile home park in Shenango Township, police said. Rombold ran when he saw Pumphrey coming, but Pumphrey caught him and pushed him to the ground, police said.

Pumphrey hit Rombold in the face with the wooden bat, than handed it to the girl, and kicked, punched and choked Rombold, police said.

The girl hit Rombold in the ribs and kicked him, police said.

Witnesses said Pumphrey yelled during the attack about Rombold stealing $450 and checks from Pumphrey's mother, police said.

Pumphrey and the girl got back in the van and drove away before police arrived, police said. The van was found at the girls' home, police said.

The girls admitted being with Pumphrey, police said.

Rombold was blinded in the attack, police said. He also suffered hearing loss and other injuries, police said.

Pumphrey was taken to Mercer County Jail after failing to post $5,000 bond.