BRIGHTON -- An Adams County jury returned a not-guilty verdict in a third-degree assault trial of Adams County Sheriff's Deputy Andrew McCormick Nov. 18.

McCormick was charged with assaulting a handcuffed inmate in the Adams County Jail in August 2020. The jury returned its verdict after two days of deliberation in Adams County District Court.

Video presented at trial from inside the holding showed deputies Chad Krause, Michael Montgomery and Jaimie Malecha entering the cell of an inmate after what a press release called "a dispute regarding the position of his handcuffs." McCormick entered the cell a short time later.

"According to the video, Deputy McCormick proceeds to strike the victim nine to 12 times in the shoulder with a closed fist. The incident concludes moments later," the press release said.

The Weld County Sheriff's Office conducted the investigation.

Malecha did not face charges. Krause and McCormick faced similar charges but won't stand trial.

"As a result of the jury’s verdict today, however, the district attorney’s office concludes it cannot proceed forward on the cases against Deputy Krause and Deputy Montgomery.  The prosecution has now filed a motion to dismiss the remaining two cases," the press statement said.

District Attorney Brian Mason said it's his job to prosecute those who have broken the law.

"No one is above the law, be it a private citizen, a police officer or a sheriff’s deputy," Mason said in the statement. "When there is evidence of criminal wrongdoing, we will prosecute such cases without fear.

 “In this case, the jury saw the evidence differently than we did and we must – and do – respect their verdict," Mason continued. " Our mission at the district attorney’s office is to keep our community safe and to make the criminal justice system better.  We remain firmly committed to that mission.”