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[UPDATE] Man Accused of Using Chainsaw on Co-worker Enters Plea Deal

Posted: 7:43 PM Aug 29, 2012
Reporter: Garin Flowers

Man Uses Chainsaw on Co-worker

Suwannee County, Florida- August 29, 2012

A man accused of attacking his co-worker with a chainsaw has reached a plea deal that got him out of prison time.

Suwannee County Sheriff Deputies arrested 58-year-old Otis Upshaw back in April.

Officials charged him with attempted murder with a deadly weapon.

But, according to court records, he entered a plea agreement, lowering his charge to Aggravated Battery.

That gives him five years of probation, 100 hours of community service and court fees among other things.

Deputies say Upshaw pulled out a chainsaw on his co-worker during a fight the night of April 5.

The victim sustained serious injuries to his hands, but was released from the hospital not long after the incident.

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Suwannee County, FL -- April 11, 2012 --

Suwannee County Sherriff deputies said a man took his anger too far.

They arrested 58-year-old Otis Upshaw after he pulled out a chainsaw on his co-worker during a fight.

"Anytime you try to take someone's life, which I would say you're trying to take their life when you take a chainsaw to someone, you have to pay the price," said Tony Cameron, the Suwannee County Sheriff.

It all happened April 5th around 10:50 p.m.

Upshaw and the victim were working for Boland Timber - a logging company out of Perry.

They were working at the intersection of 129th Road and 168th Street near McAlpin, Florida.

Co-workers said that it started off as a fist fight that turned into Upshaw pulling a knife out of his pocket, according to the police report.

His brother and another co-worker were able to tackle him and pull that knife out of his hands.

But, deputies said Upshaw wasn't done.

That's when he went to his truck and grabbed the chainsaw.

Upshaw attempted to cut the man's throat. He missed, but wound up nearly severing four of the man's fingers.

"The victim blocked it basically with his hand and cut his hand severely," Cameron said.

"Mr. Upshaw said his temper just got the best of him and he admitted to what he had done. He said basically I made a really bad mistake."