Cape Girardeau man accused of assault with baseball bat

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — A Cape Girardeau man has been arrested after police say he attacked another man with a baseball bat Friday morning.

Police said the incident happened around 7:40 a.m. when officers responded to a report of an assault. The victim told officers he was walking southbound when John Franklin Knoch, the suspect, came up from behind and struck him on the arm with a bat.

The victim said Knoch then swung the bat several more times, aiming for his head, while shouting at him. Officers noted visible redness on the victim’s arm consistent with being struck by an object.

Knoch was taken into custody. Police said he was read his Miranda rights, which he acknowledged, and admitted to hitting the victim multiple times with a metal bat.