BEDFORD – A Bedford man faces charges of battery with bodily injury and criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon following an alleged altercation involving a pole saw. An arrest warrant has been requested for Lee Dewing, 46, of Bedford.
According to an affidavit for probable cause filed by Officer Taylor Daugherty of the Bedford Police Department, officers were dispatched to the 3000 block of Ted Jones Drive at approximately 10:14 p.m. on July 23 about a battery.
The male complainant told officers he was retrieving his mail when Lee Dewing approached him while holding a pole saw. He stated that Dewing became argumentative, mentioning an ex-girlfriend, and then swung the pole saw, striking him on the upper lip and causing it to bleed. The male victim reported he did not feel pain but felt “lucky,” describing the pole saw as approximately eight feet long, black and yellow, and confirming he was struck with the cutting blade. The male victim then returned to his apartment and called 911. Photos of Kimmel’s lip were taken.
Officers attempted to make contact with Dewing at his apartment, but were initially unsuccessful.
On July 27, 2025, Dewing came to the Bedford Police Department to speak to officers. In an audio-video recording, Dewing stated he was sitting outside his apartment when the male walked through the parking lot. Dewing claimed he commented about the male being “brave” after prior incidents between them. Dewing alleged that the male then reached for his pocket, saying, “You sure about that?” leading Dewing to tell him to “pull it out if you got it.”
Dewing stated he was unsure if the male was reaching for a pistol, so he grabbed a tree trimmer he had been using, described as yellow and extendable, and pointed it at the male, telling him to “get somewhere out of here.” Dewing denied swinging the trimmer, only pointing it at the male’s upper torso. He claimed the male never pulled anything from his pocket, but he saw a piece of metal he believed might be brass knuckles. Dewing stated that the male left after the argument.
Dewing also mentioned having video footage of the incident, but, after beginning to open it on his phone, stated he did not want to show it, commenting that “it kind of looks bad.”
Based on the information, Officer Daugherty determined there was probable cause to believe Lee Dewing committed the crimes. The information was forwarded to the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office, and a warrant was issued for Dewing’s arrest. He was detained on Sunday, August 3.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the Probable Cause Affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
