A Pike County jury on Tuesday cleared retired Troy Police Officer Willie Toney of charges of sexual assaulting a girl.

The jury returned the verdict Tuesday morning, after deliberating more than six hours on Thursday and meeting again Tuesday morning.

Toney was charged with one count of rape first degree and two counts each of sodomy first degree and enticing a child to enter a vehicle or house for immoral purposes in conjunction with a pair of incidents that took place in early 2008.

After the verdicts were announced Tuesday morning, Toney gathered with friends and family in the basement of the courthouse and prayed. He left holding hands with his wife. Neither commented on the verdict.

Matthew Jordan sat in on the trial of his longtime friend every day. Jordan and Toney met in the Army 44 years ago.

“I just know the man has good morals,” Jordan said. “A retired military man, retired police officer. He’s a server.”

Jordan said justice was served Tuesday.

Check back for more details and reaction to the verdict and read the comprehensive story in Wednesday’s print edition of The Messenger.