Updated: Four charged in beating

SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – Four men are in jail after police say they brutally beat a 38-year-old man from Fennville.

Police found the man unconscious and beaten in a strip mall parking lot Monday night on Phoenix Street, and on Tuesday, they're still trying to make sense of it.

On Tuesday evening, Newschannel 3 has been told that the victim is in Bronson Hospital in critical condition. He has been put into a medically induced coma.

The victim has a closed head injury after apparently being struck with a tire iron. The reason behind the attack remains a question.

On Tuesday four young men were escorted into court to try and explain what happened.

Jeremiah Barnes faces an accessory charge, and the other three face charges of assault with intent to murder, which carries a life sentence.

The three facing charges of assault with intent to murder told the judge it was self defense.

“He put a cigarette out in my face and swung at me twice,” said suspect Nicholas Brooks. “I swung back and that's all I had to do with it.”

“The man did make threatening phone calls to my cell phone, threatened my life,” said suspect Cameron Cole. “I don't know how he even got my number. He said he knew where I lived and when I would get home, I would sit in my driveway for ten minutes just to make sure no one was around.”

“I was in on this by association,” said suspect Charles Soukup. “I never met the man.”

The judge showed no leniency in the matter, ordering hefty bonds for the suspects.

The assault itself took place at the Phoenix Square Strip Mall.

“Came to meet there through arrangements they made and it went south from there,” said South Haven Deputy Police Chief Tom Martin.

Witnesses say the assault started as a fight and escalated, but there's no clear reason yet established for the crime.

“It appears to be an ongoing dispute of some sort,” said Martin.