A suspect was taken into custody after a man died following an attack at a party in south Nashville.
Officials with Metro police said Steve Arnold died after he was beaten at an apartment on Thompson Place on November 17.
Randy Mauk, age 44, has been accused of brutally attacking Arnold and then allegedly forcing witnesses to lie, saying someone named “John” did it.
According to an affidavit, Arnold arrived at the apartment where Mauk and 57-year-old Thomas Pillow lived. Arnold’s girlfriend was also there.
Police said all four drank alcohol throughout the afternoon and evening. At some point, an argument broke out, at which point Arnold reportedly slapped his girlfriend.
Mauk saw the incident and allegedly began punching Arnold in the face and head several times. Police said Mauk continued kicking him with steel-toed boots even after he feel to the floor.
Arnold later got up and continued socializing before passing out in a bedroom doorway. The next day, others tried to wake him up without success, and even put him in the shower hoping the water would make him alert.
They called for an ambulance and he was taken to Skyline Medical Center for treatment. He was declared brain dead and later taken off life support.
Mauk has been accused of lying about the assault and telling Arnold’s girlfriend to “stick with the story.” Police said she later called officers and admitted to lying during initial questioning.
Pillow, who police said helped perpetuate the story, was arrested Tuesday night on a charge of being an accessory after the fact.
Mauk was taken into custody and charged with criminal homicide, where he was held on a $250,000 bond.
