BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A jury has acquitted a Bakersfield man of all charges in connection with a Valentine’s Day fight during which he used a knife after being pinned to the ground, a hand held to his neck, according to the Public Defender’s Office.
Iron Winders on Monday was found not guilty of assault with a deadly weapon, making criminal threats and driving on a license that was suspended or revoked due to a DUI conviction.
The jury reached a verdict after deliberating one hour.
“The quick verdict reflects the strong straightforward defense in this case and reaffirms the fundamental right to protect yourself from danger,” Kern County Public Defender Peter Kang said in a release.
The alleged victim suffered a half-inch cut to his left hand, according to the release.
On the night of Feb. 14, Winders accidentally backed his truck into his neighbor’s trailer. Winders, the neighbor and the neighbor’s brother started arguing.
The argument turned violent and Winders ended up pinned down and punched while one of the men held him by the neck, according to the release.