Written by Amanda Coers – Alva Duane Sikes, of Early, was acquitted by a jury in the 35th District Court on Thursday after he had been accused of assaulting his wife. Sikes was arrested in August 2016 for allegedly “grabbing his wife’s throat” and threatening to kill her, according to police reports.

Sikes’ attorney, Jason Johnson, presented several issues with the case to the jury. The woman waited three days to report the alleged assault, and there was no evidence of injury, according to testimony. Johnson also presented testimony the woman had fabricated the assault allegation to gain leverage in a child custody issue. Records show a divorce between Sikes and his wife is pending.

Alva Duane Sikes’ family and friends openly celebrated the verdict on social media.

“I’m so thankful at how many people I saw come together and show support for Duane,” his sister shared. “It made me so proud to see that I am so right about the kind of man my brother is.”

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