Former police officer indicted on battery, malfeasance charges after beating allegation
A former Lafayette Police officer was indicted on multiple charges after he was accused of beating a man during an arrest.
Marvin Martin was indicted Wednesday by a grand jury on a second-degree battery charge and a malfeasance in office charge in connection with an incident that happened on April 15, 2021, according to the bill of information.
Both charges are felonies.
The man who Martin is accused of injuring has filed a lawsuit against Martin. Martin was the first Lafayette Police officer to respond to a call about a disturbance involving the man and his girlfriend in the parking lot of her work, according to the lawsuit.
When Martin made initial contact with the man, he "brutally attacked, beat and battered" him, according to the lawsuit. Martin threw the man against a car, forced him to his knees and then to the ground, where Martin continued to beat him.
The charge against the man was ultimately dismissed.
More: Lafayette Police officer 'brutally attacked' man during arrest, federal lawsuit alleges
The 30-year-old resigned from the Lafayette Police Department on June 16 after an internal affairs investigation was launched, an LCG spokesperson said.
The grand jury also declined to indict former officer Alex Ritter on a malfeasance in office charge. Ritter was originally charged in April 2021 with malfeasance in office and simple battery. He pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges.
A true bill of indictment for both charges was filed on the same day he was arrested.
Ritter was fired the same day he was originally charged after a New Year's Eve 2020 incident outside the Lafayette Parish jail.
Background: Lafayette officer fired, facing charges after incident near jail on New Year's Eve
Another officer not facing charges in separate use-of-force incidents
A grand jury declined to indict former Lafayette Police Officer Pablo Estrada on a malfeasance in office charge or simple battery charge.
Estrada was fired in February 2021 by Police Chief Thomas Glover Sr. after he pushed and punched a handcuffed man in the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center's processing room. The incident was captured on video at the jail.
Estrada is appealing his termination to the Lafayette Fire and Police Civil Service Board claiming the discipline was "without cause and in bad faith."
His attorney, Allyson Melancon, said Estrada is an "exemplary officer" who was twice commended.
Contact Ashley White at adwhite@theadvertiser.com or on Twitter @AshleyyDi.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Former Lafayette Police officer facing charges after force allegation
