South Point man acquitted on 5 counts of aggravated arson

IRONTON -- A South Point area man was acquitted earlier this week on five counts of aggravated arson that could have, if he had been convicted, led to a maximum 48-year prison sentence.

Johnny Sammons, 26, of South Point was found innocent on five counts of aggravated arson following a two-day trial before Lawrence County Common Pleas Judge D. Scott Bowling, said Mike Gleichauf, an Ironton lawyer who represented the defendant.

"He maintained his innocence throughout," Gleichauf said Thursday. "There was reasonable doubt."

The jury deliberated an hour and 45 minutes before returning the not guilty verdict, said Gleichauf, who was participating in his first jury trial.