Jury acquits man of kidnapping charge

CLOVIS — A Clovis jury on Tuesday found Daniel Heil innocent of kidnapping and aggravated battery charges stemming from an incident last spring.

Heil, 30, claimed self-defense in the case, according to his attorney, Eric Dixon.

In a news release Dixon stated he was “very happy with the not guilty verdicts and will continue to champion the rights of those wrongfully accused of crime.”

The jury did find Heil guilty of a battery charge. Prosecutors contended a rock was used in assaulting a victim, but jurors found Heil “only used his hands,” Assistant District Attorney Brian Stover said, which resulted in the acquittal on the aggravated battery charge.

Heil spent 13 months in detention awaiting trial, Dixon said. He was sentenced to time served on the battery charge.

The trial began Monday and jurors returned with their verdicts on Tuesday evening after more than 3 hours of deliberation.

Heil was accused of holding a woman against her will on April 22, 2020.