Former BPS Investigator cleared of all counts during Grand Jury

Published 9:35 am Monday, February 7, 2022

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In October 2019, former Bainbridge Public Safety investigator, Chip Nix was arrested for two counts of embracery and one count of violation of oath by a public officer. However, after more than two years of waiting, Nix was finally successful in achieving a “no bill” from a Grand Jury on Tuesday, February 1, 2022.

Nix had previously achieved a “no bill” earlier in 2021 and needed a second “no bill” to clear him of all charges.

Beyond his 2019 counts of embracery and violation of oath by a public officer, District Attorney Ronald V. McNease Jr. had additionally tacked on another embracery charge and another violation of oath by public officer charge, this time relating to a 2017 case.

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The account stated that the said accused (Nix) tried to influence Brandon Cutchin, a person serving as a juror, by calling him to extract information about Cutchin’s predispositions regarding a Superior Court case.

Because of Nix’s attempt to influence Cutchin, he was charged with the offense of violation of oath by a public officer.

“These additional charges came to light during our investigation, so we had to add them during our second Grand Jury hearing,” McNease said.

However, Nix was cleared of all these wrongdoings on Tuesday by a jury of his peers.

“All we do is present the evidence and we leave them (the jurors) to discuss if they want to make it a true bill or no bill in private,” McNease said. “We don’t’ want them to feel pressured by us or by the defendant in one way or another.”

In response to the Grand Jury no billing Nix again, McNease said he is fine with whatever the Grand Jury decides, as it is their community and their decision.