JURY ACQUITS SUSPENDED STATE TROOPER

A jury acquitted a suspended state trooper in connection with an alleged domestic violence incident two years ago at his home in Derry Township.  The Trib reports that it took the jury two hours to find Nicholas Hood not guilty of a misdemeanor count of simple assault.  Common Pleas court Michael Stewart II also acquitted Hood of a summary charge of harassment.  Both were connected to the August 26, 2023 alleged altercation with his live-in girlfriend.  Prosecutors contended Hood violently grabbed Sarah Hellmann from behind, threw her to the ground and covered her mouth as she attempted to scream for help.  Hood maintained Hellmann was the aggressor and that he acted in self-defense to shove her away after she took their daughter out of his arms.  Hood has been on suspension for two years and will seek reinstatement.