ITHACA, NY — Following a week-long trial, Richard A. Marks Jr., a 39-year-old Newfield man, was found guilty on multiple charges related to firing a shotgun near law enforcement officers.
The verdict, announced by Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten, followed a trial that commenced on April 8th and concluded on April 16th, 2024, in Tompkins County Court.
Marks was convicted of two counts of Menacing a Police Officer, as well as one count each of Criminal Possession of a Weapon and Criminal Contempt. The charges stem from an April 15, 2023 incident when deputies from the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic dispute.
According to the indictment, Marks fled into the woods on a ATV after deputies arrived at the scene. While deputies were searching for him, Marks pointed a shotgun at them and fired two rounds. The incident led to charges of Menacing a Police Officer, a Class D violent felony, carrying a potential sentence of up to eight years in state prison.
Following the jury’s verdict, Marks was remanded to the Tompkins County Jail pending sentencing, scheduled for June 5.