3-year sentence sought for man who hit friend with bat

YOUNGSTOWN — Prosecutors are recommending a three-year sentence for a South Heights Avenue man who pleaded guilty Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for hitting his best friend in the head with a baseball bat while he was sleeping on a couch.

Michael Easton, 33, will be sentenced by Judge Lou D’Apolito following a presentence investigation.

Easton was arrested Oct. 20 in his home after he hit the man in the head while he was sleeping on the couch. Easton told the judge he was drunk at the time and had misinterpreted a text his friend had sent to his wife when he hit him with the bat.

Easton told the judge that through his wife he had heard the victim does not want him to go to prison.

Judge D’Apolito said he wants a chance to talk to the victim before deciding on the sentence.