Spanish Fort man acquitted of rape in 2nd trial; found guilty of domestic violence

BAY MINETTE, Alabama 
A Spanish Fort man convicted of rape earlier this year was acquitted of that crime but found guilty of domestic violence in a retrial Tuesday.

Perris Sydney Jackson

A Baldwin County jury found Perris Sydney Jackson, 43, not guilty of first-degree rape of a woman who was acquainted with him. Jurors, however, returned a guilty verdict on a count of third-degree domestic violence.
Circuit Judge Charles Partin sentenced Jackson to one year in jail and gave him credit for the time served. Jackson, incarcerated since Nov. 10, 2009, was expected to be released later Tuesday, said his attorney, Denise Baschab.
"I believe that justice was finally served in this case," Baschab said.
According to Baschab, Jackson expressed remorse and never disputed that an argument with the woman turned physical, and said that alcohol was involved. But he said sex with the woman was consensual, Baschab said.
District Attorney Hallie Dixon said she was disappointed for the victim.
"This type of case is always difficult to win, but I am proud of how hard my team fought to win it," she said.
In May, a jury found Jackson guilty of both charges. Prosecutors said he raped and choked the woman. Jackson later requested a new trial, claiming that his attorney in the first trial, Daniel P. Mitchell, went against his wishes when an opportunity arose to have a mistrial declared. In June, Partin granted the new trial.