MURFREESBORO — An officer with the Murfreesboro Police Department who was arrested for domestic assault was granted extra time to prepare his case with his attorney during his initial hearing Thursday.
Officer Frank Hernandez was charged with two counts of domestic assault Aug. 20 after officers from the Murfreesboro Police Department responded to a complaint. According to police documents, officers concluded that Hernandez had assaulted Marisa Markham, his girlfriend, and Chelsea Bunch, Markham’s sister.
Markham said Hernandez assaulted her multiple times in the past, according to one police report.
Hernandez was removed from regular duty April 23 for insubordination after addressing a superior with foul language and contesting orders, according to a police decommission notice.
According to the stipulations of his decommission, Hernandez has not been permitted to carry a police firearm or wear an official uniform since that date. He was re-assigned to a clerical position, according to the report.
General Sessions Judge David Loughry accepted a request for continuance to Oct. 2 by Terry Fann, Hernandez’ attorney.
After Bunch asked why the case was being postponed during the hearing, Loughry told that he made this decision because by law defendants and complainants are each granted one continuance, so attorneys have time to prepare their initial arguments.
Markham and Bunch both requested that they not be restricted from communicating with Hernandez, as defendants and complainants are advised not to talk in person or otherwise during domestic violence cases.
Loughry granted the requests, adding that any communication must be peaceful and non-threatening.