A jury trial is around the corner for a man allegedly involved in an assault outside Anna Maria Elementary in Holmes Beach.
But the case might not reach trial if the man, Palmetto resident John Bartholow, 18, changes his plea.
A July 27 hearing to discuss a plea for Bartholow was announced July 21 via court notice, according to the Manatee County Clerk of Court.
Bartholow initially pleaded not guilty to a second-degree felony for aggravated battery with great bodily harm.
The charge stems from a March 23, 2022, confrontation on the grounds of AME, 4700 Gulf Drive, that sent Evan Purcell, 41, of Holmes Beach, to the hospital with serious injuries.
Purcell was walking his dog with his 10-year-old niece when he saw a group of young adults and teenagers possibly vandalizing the facility outside of school hours, according to a Holmes Beach Police Department report.
When Purcell asked the people to leave school grounds, they became aggressive and confronted him. He drew a pocketknife and then was beaten unconscious.
Purcell’s niece ran to a nearby residence where 911 was called during the incident.
HBPD and then emergency medical services found Purcell and transported him to the HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton.
The Purcell family has not responded to inquiries from The Islander about his condition.
The HBPD identified Bartholow, Sarasota resident Cameron Evans and an unnamed juvenile as suspects connected to the incident using video from the scene and witness testimony.
All three were arrested within a month and,
while the juvenile was released to family, Bartholow and Evans were held at the Manatee County jail under $50,000 bonds and charged with second-degree felonies.
Evans — who pleaded no contest to the charge — was found guilty in March and sentenced to serve 36 months in prison, as well as one year of community control and six years of probation.
Additionally, the sentence subjects Evans to mental health and substance abuse evaluation and treatment, completion of an anger management course and 100 hours of public service.
Evans has remained in jail since his arrest and his sentence included a credit for 322 days of time incarcerated before conviction. He will be eligible for release by April 2025.
Meanwhile, Bartholow has been in and out of jail since his arrest.
He was released April 21, 2022, into the Manatee County Probation Department’s pretrial services program after posting a $50,000 bond.
Bartholow was arrested for contempt of court in September 2022, accused of violating the program by resisting/obstructing a law enforcement officer without violence and was returned to jail.
He posted a second $50,000 bond Oct. 17, 2022, but was arrested again Dec. 9, 2022, on nine third-degree felony charges, three for burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and six for attempted burglary of an unoccupied conveyance.
Bartholow, who pleaded not guilty to all nine third-degree felony charges, has been in jail since.
His plea hearing for the second-degree felony charge will begin at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 27, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
If Bartholow maintains his plea of not guilty, a jury trial will take place during the trial period beginning Aug. 14 at the judicial center.
Punishment for a second-degree felony includes up to 15 years in prison, 15 years of probation and a $10,000 fine.
Punishment for third-degree felony charges includes up to five years in prison, five years of probation and a fine of up to $5,000.
Bartholow’s representation, Bradenton-based attorney Jon Weiffenbach, has not responded to The Islander’s inquiries about his client’s case.
