North Abaco Congressman Kirk Cornish was acquitted of raping, assaulting and threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend after a hearing Thursday before Judge Renae McKay.

The jury of eight women and one man reached its verdict in the high-profile case after almost two hours of deliberations.

During negotiations, Cornish had lunch at Café Matisse with his legal team, which included Owen Wells, Tai Pinder-Mackey and Lilnique Murphy-Grant. In most cases, defendants are taken to the Central Police Station while the jury considers their fate.

The jury foreman appeared calm as Cornish declared him not guilty on all five charges. He faced two rapes, two assaults and one death threat.

After court adjourned, Cornish’s family and supporters cheered while he remained reserved.

The incidents allegedly occurred between January 20, 2023 and April 4, 2023.

Cornish exercised his right to remain silent at his trial and called a character witness who described himself as quiet and non-violent.

The accuser testified that Cornish was controlling and abusive, and that he attacked and threatened her after becoming angry that she was talking to her boyfriends.

The woman claimed she was in Cornish’s car in January 2023 when she received a call. She said Cornish became upset and repeatedly poked her in the right eye and strangled her before driving her to the South Side of Cooper Township and threatening to put a bullet in her head.

In March, the woman, who was in New Providence for the commissioner’s swearing-in ceremony, claimed Cornish assaulted her at an Airbnb. He said he was on the phone and became upset when Cornish didn’t tell his friend what he wanted him to say. He said Cornish attacked him with a knife and he raised his arms in defense.

He said he went to his bedroom a short time later to rest. According to her, Cornish came into the room, raped her, and spat in her face after he was done.

The following month, she said, Cornish showed up at her house after she did not respond to his call. After letting her in, she said, he forced her into the bedroom and raped her.

She allegedly told him, “You don’t want a relationship, you want a monster. This is what you will get.

The defense called the woman a liar and a despised woman intent on bringing down Cornish.

They also emphasized that there was no forensic or physical evidence to support the woman’s claims.

Prosecutor Timothy Bailey described the woman as “dangerously in love” and said she had finally broken her silence.

McKay declared a mistrial in April after it was revealed that a juror was related to a member of the opposition.