Accused abuser arrested for asking girlfriend to change statement

By Dena Libner

An accused abuser is back in jail after trying to convince his girlfriend to lie in her testimony against him in Carroll County Superior Court, police say.Cory Nichols, 29, of North Conway, was first arrested in March on a charge of second-degree assault.According to an arrest affidavit, Nichols and his girlfriend were arguing in a room at the Conway Valley Inn when he punched her in the face. His girlfriend was driven to The Memorial Hospital emergency room, where doctors stitched her split lip.Nichols was eventually released on bail and told to stay 100 yards away from his girlfriend.Second-degree assault is a felony offense. Nichols was scheduled for a first hearing in Carroll County Superior Court on May 1.But on April 14, Nichols landed back in jail.Police responded to a report of domestic disturbance at Intervale Motel. When they arrived, they found Nichols alone and apparently intoxicated, according to an affidavit.Nichols told police that he had not been drinking, and that his girlfriend had stayed overnight at the motel with him. His girlfriend later told police that Nichols had grabbed her arms and dragged her across the motel room, and had held the motel door closed to prevent her from leaving. She also claimed that he had asked her to lie to officials and refute a statement she made to police after his first arrest in March.Nichols was charged with simple assault, tampering with a witness, false imprisonment and default or breach of bail conditions. Tampering with witnesses is a Class B felony. The rest of his recent charges are misdemeanors. He is being held in Carroll County House of Corrections on $15,000 cash bail.Reporter Dena Libner can be contacted at dena@conwaydailysun.com.