DUNCAN, Okla. — A jury in Stephens County has acquitted a former deputy accused of sexual battery, rape and kidnapping.
Jurors deliberated just 40 minutes Tuesday before reaching not-guilty verdicts on all six felony counts filed against Brandon Balthrop. Prosecutors accused Balthrop of sexually assaulting four women while he was working as a Duncan police officer and later as a Stephens County deputy.
Balthrop could return to law enforcement now that he's acquitted — but he told the Duncan Banner (http://is.gd/su63zl ) that he has no plans to do so.
Balthrop says he's "ecstatic" with the jury's verdict and that he looks forward to moving on with his life.
Balthrop says he's "ecstatic" with the jury's verdict and that he looks forward to moving on with his life.
A judge declared a mistrial in January after some jurors said they'd received surveys from the state.
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Information from: The Duncan Banner, duncanbanner.com">http://www.duncanbanner.com