Police: City man arrested for beating housemate with aluminum bat

The City of Cortland Police Department (Photo: Provided)

A city man was recovering Tuesday night at Upstate University Hospital from severe head and lung injuries after he was beaten by a housemate with an aluminum bat, according to city police.

The 33-year-old man is expected to leave the Syracuse hospital sometime today, said Lt. David Guerrera in a phone interview Tuesday.

David M. Sneed II, 53, of Cortland, is charged with two felonies in the Sunday night beating, according to a news release: first-degree attempted assault and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Sneed began arguing with the other man about 9:00 p.m. Sunday at home, city police said. Sneed grabbed an aluminum bat and struck the 33-year-old in the head, knocking him to the floor, the release noted. He continued to strike the prone man in his head, chest, back and arms causing the severe head and lung injuries, police said. The 33-year-old also suffered extensive bruising to his head, torso and arms, officers noted.

Police responded to the home and arrested Sneed at 9:30 p.m., according to the release. It was unclear this morning how police were alerted to go to the house.

Sneed was arraigned Monday at 3:38 p.m. in City Court and sent to the Cortland County Jail on $5,000 cash, $10,000 bond or $30,000 partially secure bond, police said. He was still incarcerated this morning and is scheduled to reappear at 3:30 on Thursday in City Court.