Robert Gavin is reporting for the Times Union it took Columbia County Judge Jonathan Nichols less that three hours September 24, to acquit former Rensselaer County District Attorney Joel Abelove of all charges, including perjury and allegations that he misrepresented a grand jury presentation to clear the police sergeant who killed Edson Thevenin in 2016. The 51-year-old Abelove was facing possible prison time and the loss of his law license if convicted. “I’ve maintained my innocence in this matter since the very first day,” Abelove told reporters in the Rensselaer County courtroom. "I’ve never indicated at all that I did anything wrong because I believe I didn’t do anything wrong." Abelove praised his attorney, William Dreyer, who earlier in the day argued that Abelove acted in good faith. Dreyer and his client both said Nichols was an impartial judge of the facts and the former prosecutor waived his right to a jury trial in favor of having Nichols decide the case. Nichols dismissed the case in 2018, before it was reinstated on appeal. Thevenin’s mother, Gertha Depas, attended the trial every day. She told the Times Union she was “not surprised at all” by Nichols’ verdict. “I believe it was already planned,” Depas said. "[Nichols] was never intending to find him guilty anyway.” Read the full story in the Times Union.