NASHVILLE, Tenn. — (MNPD) — Hermitage Precinct detectives Tuesday night charged Nashvillian Randy Mauk with criminal homicide for the apparent punching/kicking death of Steven Lee Arnold. Arnold, 48, was rushed by ambulance to a hospital on November 18th with a severe head injury.
He was declared brain dead last Friday. Life support was removed on Sunday.
The investigation shows that Arnold, Mauk, Mauk’s roommate Thomas Pillow, and others were drinking and partying at Mauk’s and Pillow’s 1020 Thompson Place apartment on Tuesday, November 17th. Arnold and his girlfriend got into an argument during which Arnold was said to have slapped the woman. Mauk is then believed to have rushed Arnold and punched him several times in the head and face.
After Arnold fell to the floor, Mauk is alleged to have kicked him in the head at least once with steel-toed boots. Arnold ultimately got up and socialized for several minutes before passing out.
Mauk was reported to have tried to wake Arnold the following day and even put him in the shower. When that failed, an ambulance was called.
During the investigation, which is being led by MNPD Detective William Mathis, Mauk falsely claimed that Arnold was assaulted by another individual known only by a first name.
Pillow helped perpetuate that story and was also arrested Tuesday night on a charge of being an accessory after the fact.
Mauk, 44, is jailed in lieu of $250,000 bond. Pillow, 57, is being held in lieu of $15,000 bond.
