5 ex-guards acquitted of assaulting 2 inmates at county jail

NORRISTOWN (AP) — Five former southeastern Pennsylvania prison guards have been acquitted of assaulting two inmates at the county jail.

Jurors in Montgomery County deliberated for a dozen hours over two days before acquitting the five of felony aggravated assault in an altercation with one inmate on Valentine’s Day 2017.

Jurors also acquitted four of the defendants of a charge of simple assault in an altercation with another inmate. The former correctional officers were also acquitted of hindering apprehension.

The panel failed to reach agreement on official oppression charges. Prosecutors said no decision has been made on a possible retrial on those charges.

Defense lawyers said the guards used “reasonable force under the circumstances” in dealing with unruly inmates.

A sixth guard pleaded guilty earlier to misdemeanor charges and was sentenced to probation.