3 men accused of severely beating man after party on Wisteria Island

Victim taken to Kendall Regional Medical Center to be treated for head injuries

Daniel Woerner, Michael Podniestrzanski and Kyle Dean are accused of beating a man after a party on Wisteria Island near Key West.

KEY WEST, Fla. – Three men are accused of severely beating another man on an island off Key West.

Monroe County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Becky Herrin said Tuesday that arrest warrants were issued for Daniel Woerner, 25, Michael Podniestrzanski, 28, and Kyle Dean, 22, in connection with the June 19 beating on Wisteria Island.

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The 26-year-old victim told detectives that he attended a party on the island the night before and fell asleep there. When he woke up, four of his friends were also there, drinking alcohol.

Herrin said one of the men, identified as Woerner, began punching the victim while the others were instigating the fight. The victim said he didn't want to fight, but Woerner kept punching him, so he finally hit Woerner back, knocking him out.

That prompted Podniestrzanski and Dean to attack the victim, hitting, kicking and stomping on his head, Herrin said.

The fourth man tried to stop the attack and took the victim to shore, Herrin said.

The victim went to his mother's house, where he passed out on the porch. His mother and stepmother found him and took him to a hospital. He was later taken to Kendall Regional Medical Center to be treated for head injuries.

Herrin said the victim identified Woerner, Podniestrzanski and Dean as his attackers. They were arrested this week on aggravated battery charges.


About the Author:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.