SPRINGFIELD -- A Springfield man who allegedly walked into his housemate's apartment and struck him twice in the head with a hammer is being held on $50,000 bail.

Charles Bickel Jr., 54, pleaded not guilty Monday in Springfield District Court to attempted murder and four related charges following a fight with a couple who are tenants in the same Forest Park Avenue home as Bickel.

Charles Bickel Jr., 54, of Springfield

Holding a large carpenter's hammer, Bickel went to the couple's third-floor apartment Friday night to demand an explanation for why they broke into his apartment earlier in the day, according to the arrest report.

The couple said they were afraid Bickel had suffered a drug overdose and they broke the lock and forced their way inside when he failed to answer the door, the report said.

Bickel allegedly threw a pickle jar at the man and the couple retreated to their apartment. Around 6 p.m., Bickel showed up at the couple's apartment, still angry over their earlier visit.

The couple repeated their concern for Bickel's health and agreed to buy a new lock and help him install it, the report said.

The discussion ended when Bickel swung the hammer, landing blows to the man's face and forehead; the couple's son responded by swatting Bickel with a small souvenir baseball bat, which the defendant quickly wrestled away from the boy, the report said.

By the time police arrived, blood was spattered throughout the third floor and the victim was on his way to Mercy Medical Center, where he was treated for a concussion and other injuries. Bickel, after being questioned by police, was arrested at the scene.

"Why am I being arrested? I'm not the one who damaged my door," he asked, according to the police report.

Assistant District Attorney Cary Szafranski asked for $50,000 bail, citing the severity of the victim's injuries as well as Bickel's criminal record, which includes 24 convictions in Massachusetts, Florida, Colorado and Nevada.

Defense lawyer Erin Boylan said her client denied the allegations and claimed the couple had been harassing him for months.

Boylan also challenged the couple's explanation for breaking into Bickel's apartment and the subsequent fight, saying their version does not match evidence at the scene.

A former painter, Bickel suffers from chronic ankle, knee, shoulder and back ailments and supports himself on monthly federal disability payments. He is scheduled for surgery next month, making him no threat to flee, Boylan argued.

Given Bickel's limited income, Boylan asked for his release on personal recognizance, not cash bail.

"This is not someone who is going anywhere," the lawyer said.



Judge William Boyle apparently did not agree. He set bail at $50,000 and continued the case for a pretrial hearing on Dec. 28.