Most of the charges against the man who had been indicted for the October, 2021 shooting of 49-year old Marque Fricks on East First Street were dismissed Friday morning in Christian Circuit Court.
After consulting several minutes with defense attorney Sands Chewning, 52-year old Kenneth Quarles pled guilty only to tampering with evidence, with the first-degree assault, wanton endangerment and intimidating a participant in a legal process charges dismissed without prejudice—meaning Quarles could be re-indicted if additional evidence surfaces.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jerad Smith says the charges were dismissed because Fricks has not cooperated with the investigation and it’s unlikely a trial could result in a guilty verdict.
The deal comes with a recommended three-year sentence to be diverted for two years with probation, with Judge Andrew Self noting the tampering charge will be dismissed in two years if Quarles doesn’t violate his conditions.
Fricks was shot in the upper torso with a 9 mm handgun in the 700 block of East First on October 17, 2021 and he was treated for severe injuries at Skyline Medical Center in Nashville.