Valdez Found Not Guilty In 2nd Trial

A 21-year-old Iowa County man, accused of killing his stepfather, was found not guilty Friday following his retrial. Authorities arrested Austin Valdez of Ridgeway after fatally shooting Robin Reeson in March 2018. The first trial resulted in a mistrial due to a hung jury. Valdez’s lawyers contend Valdez shot Reeson while defending his mother, Melanie, who was Reeson’s wife. According to testimony, Valdez said Robin Reeson was physically assaulting Melanie. He grabbed a hunting rifle and told Robin Reeson to stop. Valdez says Robin began to approach him and that’s when he shot his stepfather in the shoulder, which resulted in fatal injuries.