A 22-year-old Atchison man Monday pleaded no contest to attempted aggravated battery in connection with a June incident in which a Lawrence man was injured.

Joshua W. Downing, who attends college in Kentucky, is expected to qualify for probation unless he has two or more felonies committed against a person on his criminal record. He was arrested on June 30 after a Lawrence man was injured during a 2:30 a.m. confrontation in the 500 block of West 19th Street.

David Melton, a chief assistant Douglas County district attorney, said Downing believed the man and his group of friends who were walking in the area had disrespected him. Downing was a passenger in a car that was driving by, and his friend stopped the car so they could confront the group.

Melton said Downing was accused of swinging at the Lawrence man intending to strike him in the face. According to testimony at a December preliminary hearing, the Lawrence man suffered a head injury and was bleeding.

Downing will also be required to pay restitution in the case. His sentencing is scheduled for March 15.