Man Acquitted of Shooting Ex Also Found Not Guilty in Battery Case Against Her

A Second Time in Less than Three Weeks, a South Florida Man has been Found Not Guilty of Domestic Violence-Related Charges

Gayle Blount, 55, was acquitted by a Broward County jury Wednesday on charges that he pushed his ex-girlfriend, Bridget Knighton, into a table at a restaurant in 2021. Last month, a Miami jury found him not guilty after he shot his Knighton five times, claiming self-defense.

“I can’t even say I’m shocked,”

Knighton said.

Blount was found not guilty of battery after police said he pushed Knighton into a table at a restaurant in February 2021.

A Record of the Incident

Blount recorded cellphone video of the incident, showing Knighton standing over him as they argued for about eight or nine minutes. He then gets up and pushes her into a table.

The Verdict

“We showed it to the jury – after they heard what she said, they chose to acquit him,” said Blount’s attorney, Jonathan Jordan.

A Repeat Offender?

This is the second time Blount has been found not guilty of domestic violence-related charges in less than a month. On February 14, Blount was acquitted on attempted murder charges, claiming self-defense after he shot Knighton five times in May 2021. Blount told jurors he believed she was reaching for a gun.

The Consequences

Blount has been in jail for the past four years, and with Wednesday’s acquittal, will be released and able to go back home. “He spent four years in custody, battling two different cases in two different counties and it took that long to prove his innocence,” Jordan said. “The next step is freedom for him.”

But Not for Knighton

Freedom that Knighton says makes her feel unsafe as she claims she was abused multiple times throughout the relationship. “I’m going to be relentless in my pursuit of justice. It’s not over. It’s not over,” she said.

Release and Next Steps

Blount is expected to be released early Thursday morning.

FAQs

* What are the charges against Gayle Blount?
+ He was acquitted of battery charges and attempted murder charges.
* How long has Blount been in jail?
+ Four years.
* What does the future hold for Blount?
+ He will be released and able to go back home.
* What does Knighton plan to do next?
+ She plans to continue pursuing justice.
* What is the total number of times Blount has been found not guilty of domestic violence-related charges in less than a month?
+ Two.