MOUNT VERNON – Defendant Robert Swint, 38, will find out his sentence on March 25 after a jury found him guilty on Feb. 25 of assault and arson charges.
But on the most serious charge, attempted murder, Swint was acquitted, a post on the Knox County Prosecutor’s Office Facebook page said.
Prosecutor Chip McConville had argued Swint "attempted to set fire to the tent of a homeless victim and struck the victim in the head with a machete."
After the altercation last November in Mount Vernon, Sgt. Dan Selby and Detective Lt. Craig Feeney of the Knox County Sheriff's Office investigated the crime. Swint faced a single charge of attempted aggravated arson and one count each of aggravated assault and felonious assault, in addition to the attempted murder charge.
Testimony from two witnesses, including the victim, failed to sway the jury on the attempted murder charge.
"It is important to remember that while it may be unseen by many, homelessness is an issue in Knox County," McConville said. "Crimes against homeless victims need to be vigorously prosecuted, and taken to trial when necessary."
Swint will spend between two and eight years in prison for attempted aggravated arson and felonious assault. For aggravated assault, the penalty ranges from six to 18 months.
