Chmura Acquitted of Sex Assault Charges

W A U K E S H A, Wis., Feb. 3 -- Mark Chmura, the former Green Bay Packerstight end accused of sexually assaulting a former baby sitter, wasacquitted of third-degree sexual assault and child enticementtoday.

Jurors deliberated for two hours and 15 minutes before reaching the verdict just before 10 p.m. ET. Chmura began to cry, his jawtrembling, as the first verdict was read. His head dropped slightlyas the judge read the second innocent verdict.

The charges against Chmura carried a maximum sentence of up to40 years in prison and $10,000 in fines. He was a former Pro-Bowl player for the Packers who was about to try a comeback from a serious injury when he was charged last year. The Packers later released him.

"First of all, I'd like to thank my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, for giving me the strength to make it through this very difficult time for me and my family," Chmura said following the verdict. "I'd like to thank my wife, obviously, my legal team and my friends who've supported me here throughout this difficult time."

A teen who used to baby-sit for Chmura's two sons told police hepulled her into a bathroom during a post-prom party April 9 athis friend Robert Gessert's home. She claimed he pulled down herpants and had sex with her without her consent.

Lawyers Argued Back and Forth

The prosecutor and defense lawyers battled back and forth inclosing arguments earlier in the day.

"No one can know the hell he has been living in since last April 10," Defense attorney Gerald Boyle said. "No one can know how embarrassed and ashamed he felt for something he thought was innocuous [that] turned into such a hellacious thing."

"I have never imagined that there would be a human being on the face of the Earth with the personal courage that this man had," Boyle added.

Waukesha County District Attorney Paul Bucher said jurors shouldshift their focus from inconsistencies in the accuser's story andback to Chmura's conduct. He portrayed Chmura, and also his lawyer,as bullies.