Jul 18, 2016 2 min read

A Washington County jury Friday acquitted a Canton Township man accused of forcing his way into a house during a dispute with neighbors.

Jurors found Gregory Rhodes, 49, of Griffith Street, not guilty of burglary and criminal trespass after an hour of deliberation. Judge Michael Lucas also found him not guilty on summary charges of harassment and criminal trespass.

The charges arose from a June 11, 2015, incident in which state police were called to the Goat Hill neighborhood and found brothers Justin Shrader, 30, and Joshua Shrader, 28, beating Rhodes in the street.

“This was a question of whether Mr. Rhodes had the consent of another to enter the home to discuss a neighborhood dispute,” said Renee Colbert, Rhodes’ attorney.

State police claimed a fight erupted when Rhodes went to the Charles Street house where the brothers live to confront Justin Shrader over his use of a motorcycle near Rhodes’ house. Police alleged Rhodes forced his way in and aimed a pistol.

Colbert argued her client had permission to go in and the licensed handgun he had during the incident wasn’t used to commit a crime.

Assistant District Attorney John Paul Lewis said the prosecution “wouldn’t have brought the case unless we thought there was a case” but he respected the verdict.

Justin Shrader pleaded guilty to simple assault and was sentenced last month to 18 months of probation, according to court records. Charges against Joshua Shrader are still pending.