WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The Fourth District Court of Appeal has reversed the conviction of Andrew Wheeler in the 2014 beating of Aaron Hill.
In August of 2014 cell phone video went viral, showing Wheeler beating Aaron Hill at a house party. Wheeler received a 30 year prison term for the crime.
According to court documents, the prosecutor charged Wheeler with a first degree felony, which is usually applied to miscreant parents or caregivers, and the evidence at trial failed to support the crime as charged.
Wheeler was found guilty of aggravated child abuse. Court documents say the state failed to prove that Wheeler caused the victim "great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement."
Since the evidence at trial failed to establish all the elements of aggravated child abuse as charged, the court has reversed the conviction and directed the circuit court to enter a judgement of acquittal.
Wheeler was released on Thursday, November 10, 2016.
