Jackson County Jury Acquits Man of Rape in Under 30 Minutes

NEWPORT, Ark. – Twelve jurors unanimously found John Calvin Brown, Jr. Not Guilty Thursday following a two-day trial at the Jackson County Courthouse in Newport.

Brown was arrested on October 31, 2021, and had been incarcerated since that time awaiting trial.

Public Defender Scott Nance of Newport defended Brown at trial.

“I am happy my client finally got his day before a jury,” Nance said. “He had been locked up for nearly two and a half years maintaining his innocence, and it took a jury only 30 minutes to set him free.”

The State of Arkansas was represented by Third Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Devon Holder of Pocahontas and three of his deputy prosecutors.

Press Release