DIXON – Two Dixon men have been acquitted of charges stemming from the beating of a local bar owner in September.

Mandel M. Muhammad, 43, and his stepson, Demetrius, 27, were both found not guilty of aggravated battery during bench trials on April 16 and May 23, respectively.

In a stipulated bench trial, prosecutors and defense attorneys agree beforehand on the evidence the judge will use to reach a verdict. No testimony is given, and the defendant neither admits guilt nor agrees that the facts prosecutors present are true.