MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A Marion County jury found ex-deputy Jesse Terrell not guilty Wednesday of using excessive force during an Aug. 7, 2014 arrest.
Just after noon, the jury reached their verdict on the felony battery case.
The prosecution said Terrell, 33, while working as a deputy sheriff with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, assaulted Derrick Price, a suspected drug dealer. Terrell "repeatedly struck, kneed, and kicked" the victim in the head, neck and shoulder area, officials said.
Terrell was one of five ex-deputies caught on surveillance video arresting Price.
The video appeared to show Price surrendering, but investigators said he was then badly hurt after being punched, kneed and kicked.
The other four deputies pleaded guilty and were each sentenced to one year in jail, according to the Ocala Star Banner.
Terrell was found not guilty in April in federal court for violating Price’s rights but later indicted in June by a grand jury in Marion County for felony battery.
Terrell said he's happy the jury reached the not guilty verdict, but he's not sure if he'll return to a career in law enforcement.
"Over the last three years it has (been emotional)," Terrell said. "One time should have been good enough when I was acquitted the first time. It wasn't good enough so round two same thing."
Attorney Charles Holloman agreed.
"Just like it was the first time, this thing could have ended up either way and I'm just very grateful, very grateful that it's ended up the way," he said.
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