Jail inmate killed by deputy is identified

Virginia State Police yesterday identified a Pittsylvania County Jail inmate killed in a struggle with a deputy as a Danville man who had recently been convicted of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl.

Cody Christopher Nifong, 24, was to have been sentenced Jan. 8 after undergoing a mental evaluation.

On Tuesday night, a Pittsylvania deputy was taking Nifong back to the jail after a medical appointment when the two began struggling in the deputy's cruiser, authorities said.

The deputy, who has not been identified, was shot and wounded. Nifong was fatally shot, according to state police, who still are investigating the altercation.

The deputy was released from Danville Regional Medical Center after being treated for injuries that were not life-threatening.

Nifong, whose 25th birthday would have been Sunday, pleaded no contest in Pittsylvania Circuit Court on Nov. 25 to charges of object sexual penetration and taking indecent liberties. He was convicted on both counts.

The charges stem from May 27, when Nifong assaulted an acquaintance at a pond.

At the November court hearing, a judge ordered Nifong to undergo a mental evaluation before his Jan. 8 sentencing. It was unclear yesterday whether that evaluation was the purpose of Nifong's medical appointment Tuesday.

The Sheriff's Office referred all questions to the state police. Officials there referred the questions to the Pittsylvania commonwealth's attorney, who could not be reached.
Contact Rex Bowman at (540) 344-3612 or .