Jury finds Rockford man not guilty of abuse

Jury finds Rockford man not guilty of abuse

By Chris Baldus cbaldus@charlescitypress.com

A Rockford man was acquitted of a felony domestic abuse charge the week before Christmas.

A Floyd County jury found Christopher Michael Winters, 30, of Rockford not guilty of domestic abuse assault, third or subsequent offense, a class D felony.

The jury began its deliberations with a 2-hour session Thursday, Dec. 17, returning Friday, Dec. 18 for 30 minutes before turning in its not guilty verdict.

Winters, who was convicted of domestic assault on April 16, 2010, and Nov. 23, 2012, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, was charged this time on Sept. 12, 2015 after Floyd County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 300 block of 1st Street Southwest in Rockford.

According to court documents, Winters’ girlfriend reported she had run to the neighbor’s house to call 911 after being punched by her boyfriend. The two had been living together for three months.

After the jury’s verdict, District Associate Judge Peter Newell ordered Winters release and that he not be required to pay attorney’s fees in the matter. Any bond was also ordered to be returned.

Winters was represented by Public Defender Nellie O’Mara.