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Jon Collins
ST. PAUL, Minn.

First defendant acquitted of St. Paul man's brutal beating

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A Ramsey County jury found the first defendant tried in the brutal beating of a St. Paul man not-guilty on Friday.

Ray Widstrand, now 27, was beaten by a group of young males in August while out for a walk in the Payne-Phalen neighborhood. Police said several people stomped and kicked him and took his pants. Widstrand suffered from potentially fatal brain swelling. He's currently recovering.

Issac Maiden, 19, was charged in the assault in October. He was acquitted of all charges by the jury in Ramsey County Court on Friday afternoon. Four others are also charged in the beating. In an emailed comment, Ramsey County Attorney's Office Public Information Officer Dennis Gerhardstein said his office will continue to pursue convictions in the other cases.

"While we are disappointed with the jury's verdict, we will respect it and move forward to the remaining cases," Gerhardstein said. "We remain committed to holding accountable those who were involved in the senseless beating of Ray Widstrand."

The others charged in the beating include three 15-year-olds and one 17-year-old male, who will be tried as an adult. One 15-year-old already pled guilty in late October.