A Washington County jury acquitted former Razorbacks football player Josh Melton on all counts Thursday morning. Jurors deliberated for less than 90 minutes.
Melton, 33, was charged with second-degree murder in the beating death of Michael Gover, 30, in August 2013. Melton's first trial ended in mistrial in July after two jurors were dismissed.
Melton told police the two men were very drunk on beer when they arrived at his home at 6316 W. Copper Ridge Lane. After a final shot of rum, he didn't remember anything else until the next day, when he found Gover dead, he said.
The medical examiner who performed the autopsy of Gover said he died as a result of injuries from Melton, an enlarged heart and a high blood-alcohol level.