Charges against a Hermitage man accused of helping in the beating of another man have been dropped.

Mercer County Assistant District Attorney Samuel Zuck wouldn't say why his office decided not to prosecute Percy Reed, 28, of 909 Dalton Ave., but acknowledged he asked that charges be dismissed.

Reed was charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.

Reed and Dewayne G. Johnson, 30, of 1156 Hamilton Ave., Farrell, were arrested in the beating of Adrian Baker of Sharon on Sept. 15, 2001, in the 900 block of Spearman Avenue, Farrell.

Reed and an unknown man held Baker's shoulders while Johnson punched Baker three times in the face, shattering Baker's eye socket, police said.

Johnson pleaded guilty to simple assault -- charges of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct were dropped -- and was sentenced last month to 3 months to 2 years in Mercer County Jail by Mercer County Common Pleas Judge Francis J. Fornelli.