The jury trial of 33-year-old Devin Brittain of Evansville concluded last night in Wabash County Circuit Court with mixed verdicts returned after several hours of deliberation.
Brittain appeared in court in street clothes and without restraints, accompanied by his attorney, Anthony Cervantez. All jurors and an alternate were present as the state completed its case-in-chief and rested. The defense moved for a directed verdict, but the court ruled that, when viewed in the light most favorable to the state, a reasonable jury could find Brittain guilty beyond a reasonable doubt on all counts.
Following closing arguments and jury instructions, the jury began deliberations at 3:45 Wednesday afternoon. Jurors submitted a question to the court shortly before 6 p.m., which was answered by the judge after consultation with counsel. Deliberations continued into the evening.
At 7:01 p.m., the jury returned verdicts finding Brittain guilty on Counts One through Three which are aggravated domestic battery, aggravated battery on a peace officer, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, , not guilty on Counts Four and Five aggravated battery on a nurse and criminal damage to property, and guilty on Counts Six and Seven which were two charges of criminal damage to property over $500.
A pre-sentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing hearing has been scheduled for February 9th at 1 p.m. Brittain was ordered detained until sentencing under Illinois law.
