Corbin man slashed, beaten with baseball bat at local motel

Corbin Police Capt. Tim Helton takes a DNA sample from Joseph McHargue, the alleged victim of an attack early Wednesday morning at the Holiday Motel in Corbin. McHargue said his roommate, John Cordell, slashed him with a knife and beat him with a baseball bat.

A Corbin man was slashed and allegedly beaten with a baseball bat early Wednesday morning by his roommate at a local motel, and police are investigating the incident as a case of felony assault.

According to Corbin Police Capt. Tim Helton, who is investigating the case, 42-year-old Joseph McHargue and his roommate, John Cordell, got into some sort of argument just before 6:00 a.m. Wednesday inside room 108 at the Holiday Motel, located on Main Street. The altercation led to McHargue being slashed numerous times by a “hookbill” knife and being beaten by a baseball bat. Authorities say a resident of the motel called 911 saying a man was beating on doors and bleeding profusely.

Police had the scene of the crime cordoned off with tape but blood drops could be clearly seen on the sidewalk just outside many of the rooms, and leading into the room where the men lived.

“Evidence has been collected at the scene. The origin of the argument is being investigated. I don’t know what caused all of this yet,” Helton said.

But McHargue, who returned to the motel at about 11:30 a.m. wearing a bright green hospital gown, flip-flops and with obvious injuries to his face and back, said his roommate attacked him simply because he woke him up too early.

“My roommate came in and attacked me and hit me in a ball bat in the head,” McHargue said during and interview at the scene. A large knot was visible on his forehead and blood could be seen caked on his face. One of his fingers was wrapped tightly in gauze and he was also wearing a knee brace. At times he was barely able to stand.

“He was asleep and I flipped the light on and he jumped up and got mad and pulled a knife on me.”

McHargue said he was slashed with the knife on the back and other places on his body. Cordell was his friend, he said, and the two had been living together at the motel for about a month.

McHargue said he plans to stay with his mother until things settle down.

“I’m not OK. I’m going to her house until I talk to police,” McHargue said. “He [Cordell] can’t live with me no more. I don’t want him to.”

Helton said Cordell was taken until custody by Sgt. Glenn Taylor Jr. and Patrolmen Matthew Conley shortly after they arrived on the scene. He was taken to the Corbin Police Department for questioning. Helton said he expects Cordell will be charged with second-degree assault. No word yet on whether he is cooperating with police on the investigation.

McHargue was transported to Baptist Regional Medical Center for treatment before being released.