Bob Kasarda

VALPARAISO — After deliberating for an hour over lunch, a local jury found a 30-year-old Chesterton man not guilty on a felony battery count stemming from an August 2023 incident that left a man unconscious with a brain bleed and broken jaw, records show.

Austin Porter stood trial over four days this week before Porter Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clymer.

"Austin Porter has always maintained that his action was legally justified because he acted in self-defense," said his defense attorney Jesse Harper.

"We are extremely happy for Austin and his family," Harper said of Thursday's verdict. "We are grateful for the jury that listened to witness testimony and saw evidence, and we feel that justice was done here."

The allegations stem back to Aug. 5, 2023 when Porter was accuse

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