A jury on Friday acquitted a Spokane man of an assault charge connected to a stabbing outside a downtown nightclub last fall.

John D. Proctor, 25, was found not guilty of first-degree assault and not guilty of a lesser included offense, riot.

Proctor said he was wrongly accused. He criticized news stations for reporting he was the assailant without calling him a suspect and said the case has affected his wife and three children.

"It was a terrible thing," Proctor said. "I've been nervous just going out."

Proctor said he was present the night two men were stabbed during a large fight outside Club Uno, 515 W. Sprague Ave., but that he didn't stab anyone.

Jurors apparently agreed, deliberating less than half a day before finding Proctor innocent.

Proctor, who has been out of jail on $75,000 bond, said his arrest has made him much more careful about who he hangs out with.

The Oct. 28 stabbing injured Kenneth R. Budik and Charles L. Lucious. Witnesses said one of defendants said, “There’s Kenny! Murder One Crips!” and "You messed with Murder One," before the attack, according to court documents. Budik was a victim in a shooting in 2007 that killed gang member Adama Walton.

Budik testified, and jurors viewed a video taped deposition from Lucious, who is in federal custody for a case based in Nevada.

Also testifying during the four-day trial was Rashjel G. "Reggie" Cage, 24. Cage and his brother, Rakee D. Cage, 23, have pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree assault for their roles in the case. Parrish J. Johnson pleaded guilty to riot; William Alexander-Durr's charge was reduced to a gross misdemeanor then dismissed.

The only remaining suspect is Adam Doe, who also is charged in connection with the shooting at Hoopfest in June.

Spokane County Deputy Prosecutor Steve Garvin prosecuted the case; Proctor's lawyer was John Stine.

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