BARNSTABLE, Mass. -- A Falmouth man was released from jail Friday three weeks after he allegedly beat a New York man with a baseball bat, according to the Cape Cod Times.

Robert Correia, 20, was released on personal recognizance by Barnstable Superior Court Judge Gary Nickerson, who chastised the media for making the story appear much worse than it was.

Despite his release, Correia still faces a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon for striking William Nestor III, 29, of New York, with an aluminum bat on the Fourth of July. A conviction would carry up to 2 ½ years in jail.

Per conditions of his release, Correia must submit to random alcohol testing and a curfew.

During the alleged attack, Nestor and his family were sitting in traffic when two men, noting the New York license plate, shouted expletives at the family, Nestor testified at the dangerousness hearing. He said the comments were directed at New York and the Yankees.

At the appeal, Correia’s landlord, William Blaisdell, told Nickerson that Correia is a model tenant. E-mails sent on Correia’s behalf by co-workers and his employer were also considered prior to the ruling.

Correia was appealing a July 9 hearing in which Falmouth District Court Judge Michael Creedon ruled the man posed a danger to the community. Nickerson, however, reversed the decision, citing the media’s coverage of the story as a major factor.

“Because the words Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees were interjected into this case, this thing spun out of control,” Nickerson said.

Nickerson also said if Correia pleaded guilty to the charges in his courtroom, he would receive at worst about two weeks in the house of correction and some probation.

Correia is due back in court Aug. 15.

Coincidentally, the Yankees are in town Friday for a weekend series against the Red Sox.