Soap star has run-in with police

Monday, October 22, 2007 5:13 PM| This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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(SoapOperaNetwork.com) -- "One Life to Live" actor Nathaniel Marston ends up in the hospital after allegedly attacking three people and fighting with police in midtown New York City.

The New York Daily News reports that Marston is charged with two counts each of second degree felony assault, reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon as well as one count of resisting arrest. Judge John Cataldo ordered him released without bail.

The incident in question is said to have begun around 4:30 am Sunday morning when the 32-year-old Marston, who portrays Dr. Michael McBain on "OLTL," allegedly assaulted three men with a crate at the corner of 45th Street and 10th Avenue in New York City; which resulted in one victim receiving a broken leg, another suffering a hand injury, while a third suffered a blow to the neck resulting in bruising and swelling. Jennifer Kushner, spokeswoman for the Manhattan district attorney's office, told the Associated Press that "When officers tried to arrest Marston, he began flailing his arms and kicking at officers and refused to be handcuffed. Officer Sean Turner had medical treatment for a cut hand and a bruised knee."

According to police reports, Marston seemed to under the influence of narcotics, possibly cocaine, when officers responded to the scene. Marstson was taken to Bellevue Hospital with cuts and bruises following his arrest, where doctors described him as an "emotionally disturbed person." The New York Daily News also reports that they received a tip from an unnamed source, claiming that Marston had exhibited strange behavior recently, which is said to have resulted in an emotional outburst on the "One Life to Live" set last week.

The paper also interviewed an eyewitness, who described Marston's mental state at the time of the attacks. Salvatore Cabibbo claims that, as he was drinking a cup of coffee, Martson jumped out of a taxicab and came after him with a metal crate screaming obscenities and saying, "I'm going to get you!" Cabibbo states that "He was crazed - I don't know the guy from a hole in the wall. I've never seen anything like that." Cabibbo received only minor injuries from his run-in with Marston, who he says ran toward a gas station following the confrontation, narrowly avoiding being struck by a car.

Marston's latest temper tantrum is the latest in a series of angry outbursts in recent years. Eight years ago this month he was arrested for criminal mischief after damaging an ATM machine in Manhattan. In 2003, Marston was fired from "OLTL," allegedly as a result of anger issues. However, he was rehired a short time later following a massive viewer protest.

That same year Marston told Soap Opera Weekly that his anger problems began as child, and stated that "I was the kid who'd sit there in class, real quiet, didn't scream or yell until someone would mess with me. And then I'd explode: boom! It was fierce and violent."

Marston's latest run-in with police has eerie similarities with his "OLTL" character, Dr. Michael McBain, who faces criminal charges for committing perjury on the witness stand during the custody trial for baby Tommy; which resulted in his wife, Marcie McBain (Kathy Brier), kidnapping Tommy and leaving town.

Following his release from the hospital, Marston told a New York Daily News reporter "I don't want to talk to you, and please don't ever come to my home."

Martson took over the role of Al Holden on "OLTL" in 2001. The character was killed off when Marston was fired in 2003. When he returned to the show a few months later he took on the role of Michael McBain, in an out-of-body storyline. Prior to his stint on "OLTL," Marston played Eddie Silva on "As the World Turns" from 1998 to 2000, where he received a Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Best Male Newcomer. Martson also had a role in the drama "Educating Matt Waters," and has appeared in movies such as "Monday Night Mayhem," "The Craft," and "Love is All There Is."

Whether Marston has any "Life" left to "Live" in Llanview is uncertain. ABC spokeswoman Lori Hogan has issued a statement saying "We're aware of the incident and (are) reviewing its details." Marston's lawyer has declined to comment on the investigation, and a court date is set for February 4th. Stay with Soap Opera Network for more information on this breaking story.

Pictured: Nathaniel Marston courtesy Yolanda Perez/ABC