Lodi Man Found Not Guilty of Felonious Assault

A three day jury trial on a charge of Felonious Assault ended in a not guilty verdict for Mr. Nicholas R. Quintile of Madera Drive in Lodi. The trial, which was conducted by Judge James Kimbler, began with jury selection on Monday, February 22, and concluded on Wednesday. The jury returned its verdict late Wednesday (2-24-2010) afternoon.

Although Mr. Quintile now lives in Lodi, at the time he was indicted, he was living on Damon Drive in Medina. The alleged assault took place on August 8, 2009, at a apartment building on West Liberty street in Medina. The State alleged that Mr. Quintile drove his father's sports utility vehicle at a man while visiting the apartment building. The State alleged that Mr. Quintile was angry that an ex-girlfriend of his was socializing with other men at a outdoors party that was taking place at the apartment building.

In support of its case, the State called several witnesses who lived at the party, including the person named as a victim in the indictment. They testified that Mr. Quintile drove his vehicle at two people, left the property on which the apartment building was located, and then came back and continued driving his vehicle at people.

The State's witnesses also testified that while Mr. Quintile was at the party, he first got into a fight with men who were talking to his ex-girlfriend. This led to one of the people who lived in the apartment building choking him until he lost consciousness. Then, after he returned a second time to the apartment building, people at the party threw rocks at his vehicle and after his vehicle got stuck on a tree stump, drug him out at the vehicle and started beating him up.

Mr. Quintile testified that he was at the party, and that he was choked, although he disagreed that he was causing any sort of disturbance with his ex-girlfriend. He testified that he after he was choked, he was dragged out to his SUV and put behind the wheel. He said that he had difficulty driving away from the apartment building because he was not totally aware of his surroundings.

He testified that he did come back to the property, but it was because he was concerned for his ex-girlfriend and not because he was angry. Once he came on the property, and bricks were thrown at his vehicle, his windshield was smashed and he couldn't see clearly.

The jury deliberated for over two hours before reaching a verdict. The State of Ohio was represented by Assistant Medina County Prosecutor Matt Razavi and Mr. Quintile was represented by Attorney Michael K. Astrab of Berea, Ohio.