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A woman arrested while speaking at a Nelsonville council meeting was found not guilty of disturbing a lawful meeting

By: Joshua Hoerner
Posted on: Friday, July 25, 2025

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — A woman arrested at a Nelsonville City Council meeting was found not guilty Thursday of disturbing a lawful meeting.   

Rita Nguyen said that justice prevailed in the verdict. 

“I’m very happy that they found for not guilty,” she said.  

Nguyen was arrested in April after she spoke up at a council meeting about appointments to fill two vacant council seats and refused to stop speaking when asked. Nguyen argues she was wrongfully removed from the council last year and her defense at trial was based on this belief. 

Four witnesses were called to the stand, including Nguyen. Police Chief Devon Tolliver, council President Gregg Clement and Nelsonville resident Sue Powell testified as well.   

The city argued Nguyen improperly disrupted city business. Bradley Nicodemus, who represented Nelsonville, said after the verdict that although he was disappointed with the result, he respected the work of the jury. 

“I think I put on a good case,” Nicodemus said. “I will live with that verdict and appreciate their willingness to take the time to listen to the arguments.” 

Nguyen’s defense argued that she reasonably believed that she had a right to speak at the meeting. 

“She truly believes that she is a member of City Council and had a right to speak,” Nguyen’s attorney, Josh Brown, said in his closing argument. “She doesn’t actually have to be a member of City Council; she just has to truly reasonably believe it.” 

One of the key pieces of evidence was a legal opinion last year from former Nelsonville City Law Director Matthew Voltolini. In this opinion, Voltolini said Nguyen was a member of the City Council.  

In the final pre-trial hearing on Monday, a judge ruled this evidence was admissible. Nicodemus had filed a motion to prevent this document from being used as evidence.  

Nguyen said the verdict was a huge step forward for the citizens of Nelsonville.  

“We have been working to change for the better for Nelsonville,” Nguyen said. “I feel it in my heart that we will move forward as a town. It’s just taking some time.” 

Meanwhile, she is also fighting to get her seat back on the council in an appeals court case. In February 2024, Nguyen sent an email announcing her resignation. She rescinded this the following day. In April 2024, she was blocked from taking her seat on council.