By Emily Enfinger | The Selma Times-Journal

A Selma man was arrested Saturday and charged with attempt to murder.

Nathan Sykes, 45, was arrested for allegedly beating a man with a wooden post on Duke Street on Feb. 6.

“He nearly tore off one of his ears and busted an artery in his head,” said District Attorney Michael Jackson.

The victim was first taken to Vaughan Regional Medical Center and later transferred to the University of Alabama at Birmingham hospital.

The victim was released from the hospital a few days later.

Lt. Sam Miller with the Selma Police Department said the altercation was the result of an argument.

The charge was originally third-degree assault but was upgraded to attempt to murder because of the severity of the victim’s wounds.

Sykes first appearance in court will be sometime later this week, according to Jackson.

His bond was set at $500,000. As of Monday, he had not made bond and was in the Dallas County Jail.