Juliaetta man dies in Lewiston hospital after baseball bat attack

A man died earlier this week in a Lewiston hospital from injuries received after being attacked with a baseball bat last week.

The victim was identified as 48-year-old Christopher Vessells, according to the Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

Latah County Sheriff’s deputies initially arrested Jared Mendez, 26, of Juliaetta, on charges of alleged aggravated battery on April 11. That charge could be upgraded following Vessells’ death, according to the article.

Mendez allegedly attacked Vessells when Vessells arrived at Medez’s Juliaetta home. Medez was reportedly angry because Vessells allegedly assaulted his mother.

Mendez allegedly hit Vessells in the head several times with the baseball bat, according to the article.