ND man, Short, to plead guilty to sledgehammer assault

A North Dakota man says he will plead guilty to hitting his brother in the head with a sledgehammer during a fight.

Joey Short, of Belcourt, faces a federal court charge of assault with a dangerous weapon. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

The incident occurred in October 2012. Authorities say the 24-year-old Short struck his older brother in the head numerous times.

Investigators say 33-year-old Jason Short required numerous stitches. He was treated and released at a Belcourt hospital.

A plea hearing has not been scheduled.