An inmate in the Marshall County Jail who allegedly hit a police officer during a fight in the jail has been formally charged.
On Sept. 13 at 8:25 p.m., Zachary Cowger, 22, allegedly hit Marshall County Jail Officer Billy Schoff in the head twice during a confrontation in the Marshall County Jail. According to the affidavit for probable cause, Jailer Schoff observed Cowger and another inmate in a pod violating jail rules and Cowger refused to comply with commands given over the intercom. Jailer Schoff left the observation room to confront Cowger when the alleged incident occurred.
Cowger reportedly hit Schoff on the left side of the head. Court documents say Schoff lost his balance and fell on his right side on the concrete floor. That action caused Schoff to lose consciousness and created a laceration on the right side of his head. Schoff received five stitches during a visit to the hospital.
Marshall County Prosecutor Nelson Chipman filed a formal felony charge of battery resulting in injury upon a public safety officer. That charge is a Level 5 felony which carries a prison sentence of six years if convicted. Bond was set at $20,000 cash. An initial hearing on this charge has not been set.
Cowger is in the Marshall County Jail awaiting the conclusion of two other cases. In one case is charged with two counts of intimidation with a deadly weapon, battery resulting in bodily injury, criminal trespass and criminal mischief. In the other case, he faces a charge of battery resulting in bodily injury on a police officer and resisting law enforcement.
Prosecutor Chipman notes that this most recent alleged incident occurred after Cowger’s attorney filed plea agreements on the two other cases. Cowger is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Robert O. Bowen in Marshall County Superior Court No. 1 on Nov. 2.
