5 accused of attacking man with baseball bat, brass knuckles, and skillet

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (TCD) -- Five people face charges after allegedly attacking a 29-year-old man in 2023 with a baseball bat, brass knuckles, and a skillet, causing a skull fracture.

According to a news release from the Carter County Sheriff’s Office, on Aug. 19, 2023, deputies responded to the Stoney Creek community in reference to an assault. Carter County Emergency and Rescue Squad treated a male victim at the scene. Due to the severity of his head injury, the man wasn’t able to speak with deputies, and he was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The victim allegedly called his family after the attack and asked for help at the boat ramp on Wilbur Dam Road. The victim’s family reportedly told deputies they found him and drove him to the Carter County EMS station. The man allegedly told his family that several people attacked him with a baseball bat, brass knuckles, and a cast-iron skillet, and the relatives provided the names of the suspects.

Deputies went to the boat ramp, where they found the victim’s vehicle, as well as a pool of blood and a broken skillet. Authorities then responded to the hospital and discovered the victim sustained a skull fracture.

On May 8, a Carter County jury indicted five suspects in the assault: 33-year-old Jerry Carden Jr., 32-year-old Meesha Williams, 24-year-old Kelvin Bradley Jr., 19-year-old Daniel Shearl, and 21-year-old Jeffery Brooks Jr.

Carden and Williams face charges of conspiracy to commit second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault, tampering with evidence, and filing a false report. Bradley, Shearl, and Brooks face charges of conspiracy to commit second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, and aggravated assault.

On May 11, deputies arrested Carden and Williams, and they apprehended Bradley, Shearl, and Brooks the following day. According to the sheriff’s office, Carden, Williams, Bradley, and Brooks posted $25,000 bond each. Shearl remains held at the Carter County Detention Center on $25,000 bond.

TRUE CRIME DAILY: THE PODCAST covers high-profile and under-the-radar cases every week. Subscribe to our YouTube page and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You can also subscribe to our True Crime Daily newsletter.