A federal jury deliberated almost three hours before clearing a Rhode Island state trooper of using excessive force against a member of the Narragansett Tribe.

The jury said trooper Kenneth Jones used reasonable force in subduing Adam Jennings during the state's raid of the reservation on July 15, 2003. Jones kept twisting Jennings' ankle until it broke.

"There wasn't enough evidence to prove excessive force was used," said jury foreman Harold Gorman, The Providence Journal reported.

Jennings previously won a $301,000 judgment that was upheld by the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals . But the judge who was handling the case granted Jones a new trial. A different judge presided over the second trial.

Get the Story:
Trooper used reasonable force in smoke shop raid (The Providence Journal 7/29)
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1st Circuit Excessive Force Decision:
Jennings v. Pare (March 7, 2007)

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