By Rhys Baker

Following just under an hour of deliberation, a Clay County jury of five women and one man found former Sheriff’s Deputy Harold “Hank” Stellner NOT GUILTY on one count of mistreatment of a confined person and one count of battery. 

In closing remarks, Judge Wheeler, the Prosecution, and the defense all reminded jurors that there are two separate counts: mistreatment of a confined person and battery. The state asked jurors to convince Stellner of both, while the defense pointed out that the jury had to decide if the incident included ill-treatment or abuse by Stellner.