Charge expected today after man tells police he beat pal with bat

Updated: March 17, 2008 - 7:09 PM

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A 31-year-old Lakeville man could be charged today with a homicide after he reportedly admitted beating a friend to death with a baseball bat, authorities said Monday.

Lakeville police and the Dakota County attorney's office said they expect Charlie Otto Reynolds to be charged by noon in the death of Joshua Jay Skare, 33, of Apple Valley.

Skare, a longtime friend of Reynolds, died from blows to the head, Lakeville police said.

Investigators said Reynolds, who had been out all night with Skare, called for medical help from his townhouse shortly before 6 a.m. Sunday.

Paramedics found Skare not breathing, with no pulse and with blunt-force wounds. Paramedics performed CPR, but Skare was pronounced dead at the scene.

Reynolds was arrested and told officers he hit Skare with a bat while the two were fighting, Lakeville police said.

Lakeville Police Chief Tom Vonhof declined Monday evening to say why the men were fighting, but he did confirm the presence of alcohol. "I don't know how much, but they had been drinking," he said.

"These two were longtime friends," the chief added. "They've known each other for about 15 years."

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is assisting in the investigation.

HERÓN MÁRQUEZ ESTRADA AND ABBY SIMONS