ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A judge has acquitted a sheriff who was charged with assaulting his wife during a domestic dispute.

Anne Arundel County Sheriff Ron Bateman was acquitted Wednesday of second-degree assault. The Capital of Annapolis reports (http://bit.ly/2aL4d5I) that Elsie Bateman refused to testify against her husband at trial.

County police said on April 10, a woman who identified herself as Elsie Bateman called 911 and said the sheriff had punched her in the eye. Three days later, she issued a statement saying Ron Bateman did not punch her.

Bateman’s lawyer said after trial that the sheriff has always maintained his innocence. Peter O’Neill also said his client, who had put himself on administrative duty after he was arrested, plans to resume his role as sheriff after the family returns from vacation.

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Information from: The Capital, http://www.capitalgazette.com/