Logan County Prosecutor Eric Stewart issued a strong statement on Wednesday night in response to the acquittal of Marcus Cobb on charges of assaulting a police officer and obstructing official business.
The charges stemmed from a December 2023 incident in which Cobb was accused of assaulting a Bellefontaine police officer and resisting arrest.
Judge Kevin P. Braig of the Logan County Court of Common Pleas ruled that the State of Ohio failed to prove Cobb’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
This ruling came despite a prior jury conviction in which 12 Logan County citizens found Cobb guilty of the charges and rejected any claims of self-defense.
In his statement, Prosecutor Stewart expressed his disagreement with the judge’s decision, saying: “We disagree with the Court’s decision. A jury of 12 Logan County citizens found the Defendant guilty of assaulting a police officer. The jury also rejected any argument that the Defendant was acting in self-defense. The Court’s decision to overrule the jury sets a dangerous precedent.”
Stewart also highlighted rising concerns about assaults on law enforcement, citing troubling statistics from the FBI.
In 2023, 79,091 law enforcement officers were assaulted – the highest number recorded in a decade.
“This trend is deeply disturbing because it not only puts the safety of those who protect us at risk but also undermines the rule of law that holds our communities together,” Stewart continued. “A society where violence against law enforcement becomes normalized is one where everyone’s safety is threatened. We take these attacks seriously and stand with law enforcement.”
The case has sparked debate within the community, with many questioning the impact of Judge Braig’s decision.
