POCATELLO — A local man accused of hitting another with a baseball bat last month pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of aggravated battery on Monday.

John Stratten was arrested last month after an altercation with a neighbor culminated in his allegedly striking the man with the bat. Prosecutors also filed an enhancement against Stratten charging him with using a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony.

Sixth District Judge Stephen Dunn accepted Stratten’s plea and set a Nov. 13 trial date for the defendant.

The alleged incident occurred during the early morning hours of July 14 when residents of the neighborhood said Kevin Dodge, a friend of Stratten’s neighbor, went to Stratten’s home with several others to complain that his front porch light was on. According to the residents who witnessed the incident, Stratten’s neighbor was hosting a party and the porch light was something they wanted turned off.

The residents reported that Dodge and several others were throwing things at Stratten’s home and running back and forth between the two residents, sometimes shaking the fence around Stratten’s property.

Eventually Stratten returned to his porch carrying a baseball bat, according to witness accounts, and when Dodge attempted to open the gate to Stratten’s property, that’s when he allegedly struck Dodge.