A one-day trial was held in Starke Circuit Court Wednesday, May 29.
David Lewandowski was charged with strangulation as a Level 6 Felony and domestic battery as a Class A Misdemeanor. A jury of six found him not guilty on both counts.
Lewandowski was accused of strangling his now ex-girlfriend in an incident June 8, 2023. The victim testified that Lewandowski’s ex-girlfriend came over to the apartment that Lewandowski and the victim shared and the two women got into a physical fight where both were injured. The ex-girlfriend was arrested that night, and after the incident is when the victim testified that Lewandowski became upset and got on top of her and strangled her.
The victim said she was told to file a report with the Knox City Police Department and did so when she was able to talk to an officer several days after the incident. Charges were then filed by the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office.
Witness testimony for the defense indicated that the victim discussed the fight and injuries caused with the ex-girlfriend, but did not mention any injury by Lewandowski. Testimony was also given that the victim was upset that Lewandowski provided bail for his ex-girlfriend.
There were three witnesses for the State of Indiana represented by Starke County Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Matthew Poulos and there were two witnesses for the defense. The defendant was represented by Attorney Richard Ballard. The defendant did not testify.
The verdict was returned in approximately 30 minutes.
Starke County Circuit Court Magistrate Micah Cox presided over the trial.
