Man gets prison for assaulting officers

A Troy man with a history of assault and disorderly conduct convictions was sentenced Monday to 11 months in prison for the assaults of two Miami County corrections officers.

Marion A. Cotterman, 45, was accused of causing or attempting to cause physical harm to the two officers in the county jail March 14.

He was sent in April to the Northwest Ohio Psychiatric Hospital in Toledo by Municipal Court Judge Gary Nasal for treatment to restore competency. Nasal found that at the time of the commitment, Cotterman was mentally ill and unable to stand trial.

Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher Gee said Aug. 28 that, after a recent evaluation, a psychologist found Cotterman currently understood the charges, the potential outcomes and the role of his attorney, and was competent to stand trial.

Cotterman pleaded guilty in September. He could have received up to two years in prison.

At sentencing, he asked Gee to consider a sentence of probation.

Public defender Jack Hemm said Cotterman had been restored to competency. “Hopefully that is enough to stop this kind of behavior,” Hemm said.

Gee reviewed Cotterman’s criminal record that includes more than 15 convictions for assault and disorderly conduct since 1998.

“You need to make sure you stay on your medication” and seek help to do that, if needed, following prison release, Gee said.

Cotterman will receive credit for 79 days served in the county jail.

— NANCY BOWMAN, CONTRIBUTING WRITER