A special prosecutor assigned to probe allegations that a Lawrence County jail administrator assaulted two jailers expects to hear from state investigators again this week<!—->.

Wednesday, May 03, 2000

A special prosecutor assigned to probe allegations that a Lawrence County jail administrator assaulted two jailers expects to hear from state investigators again this week

Prosecutor Rick Brown of Portsmouth received the case involving Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Jim Cochran a month ago but has taken no action.

Brown declined to release details of last week’s initial report on the jail incident from the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification, or BCI, in Columbus.

BCI is reviewing a March 29 incident involving Cochran and two jailers.

The jailers claim Cochran hit them while they were on duty at the county jail. County Sheriff Roy Smith said the incident was part of a training exercise.

Brown said he could not discuss the report while investigators conduct their inquiry.

"But I have spoken briefly this week with the (BCI) agent investigating and the investigation will continue," he said.

Lawrence County Common Pleas Court Judge Richard Walton appointed Brown as special prosecutor after the jailers filed a court complaint accusing Cochran of felonious wrongdoing and felonious assault.

Lawrence County prosecutor J.B. Collier Jr.’s office declined involvement, citing a conflict of interest.

Brown has said he will wait the state’s investigation results before taking action.

"I do not have a complete investigation in front of me but once I do it certainly should go much quicker," he said.

Brown said he expects to meet again soon with BCI investigators.

Once the inquiry is complete, there are several options, Brown said.

The prosecutor can pursue charges against Cochran, decide not to charge, empanel a grand jury to look into the matter or take other action, he said.

"But that’s premature until I have a complete investigation in front of me."

This is not the first investigation Cochran has faced regarding a training incident.

A grand jury considered charges against Cochran for conducting a June 26, 1998, exercise that injured a deputy when a supposed prisoner smuggled a mock weapon into the jail.

While deputies were booking and searching the prisoner, Cochran entered the booking room from the garage and fired a blank at the floor, which accidentally injured a deputy’s leg, according to reports at that time.

Grand jurors found no criminal intent but recommended that administrative action should be taken against the chief deputy.