By James B. Bartle
A former Franklin County deputy and Maplewood police officer was found guilty in Franklin County Court on Thursday of felonious restraint.
A jury of nine woman and three men deliberated for two hours before handing down their verdict of guilty to Marvin H. Nash, 41, Washington.
Nash was indicted by a Franklin County Grand Jury for restraining Bill Fox, Jr. and assaulting him on Nov. 15, 2005 at the Petro Mart Convenience Store, Villa Ridge.
According to Robert Parks, Franklin County prosecuting attorney, Nash was an off-duty officer from Maplewood and a former Franklin County deputy at the time of the incident. Nash testified in his own behalf during the trial.
“I always hate to try a police officer for a crime; but, in this case, Nash was not acting as a police officer and crossed the line when he pulled Fox from his car, threw him to the ground and pointed a gun at the back of his head,” said Parks. “The jury found Nash not guilty on the misdemeanor assault charge.”
Nash will appear before Judge David Hoven in Franklin County Court on May 6 for sentencing.