MEMPHIS, Tenn.–It was a fight on Beale St. between Mark Martinez and off-duty Pontotoc County Deputy John Logan that has Logan charged with using a firearm to commit a felony and two counts of aggravated assault. The Grand Jury in Shelby County, Tenn. returned that indictment this week.
Logan claimed self defense when he shot Martinez six times, in the back and his arms.
Initially, Memphis Police ruled the shooting self-defense and Logan was not charged.
WREG TV in Memphis reported that Logan used his own personal, off-duty weapon, and that police also found a gun strapped to his leg and a knife in his pocket. The station also reported both men had been drinking.
Here’s how police said the incident went down. Logan was with friends, partying on Beale St., and so was Martinez, a construction worker just three days on a new job in Memphis.
Logan claimed Martinez groped one of Logan’s female friends. Martinez denied that. The two got into a fist fight. Witnesses said Martinez beat Logan and had him on the ground and that’s when Logan pulled the gun and fired.
Martinez ended up in a Memphis hospital.
Logan is free on $5,000 bond.