OTTUMWA, Iowa (KYOU) - Joshua Michael was acquitted on Monday on all charges in connection to the stabbing death of Jeffery Wayne Johns at Foster Park last year.

District Judge Michael Carpenter found Michael not guilty of first-degree murder, willful injury, causing serios injury, and assault while participating in a felony. The Judge agreed with the defense stance that Michael acted in self-defense.

“Because the state has a burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Michael was not justified. The courts finding is that based on these facts it has a reasonable doubt about whether Michael was justified no more no less,” said Carpenter.

Carpenter said the court found evidence showing the victim started the fight and that Michael only pulled a knife several minutes into the altercatio

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