It was not a good day for the commonwealth as juries in three criminal cases tried in Schuylkill County court returned not guilty verdicts Monday in the opening day of the October term of criminal court. Three new cases started today.

Amy Marie Dower, 38, of Mahanoy Plane, Gilberton, was found not guilty of assaulting or recklessly endangering Janalene Evitts. She was found not guilty of two counts of aggravated assault, and one each of terroristic threats, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and disorderly conduct. President Judge William E. Baldwin, who presided, found her not guilty of the summary offense of harassment.Scott Sargent, 29, Shenandoah, was found not guilty of being involved in an accident causing damage to another vehicle. Testimony was his Jeep went off the road and struck a tree, which snapped and fell on another vehicle, and that Sargent fled from the scene on SR54 in Shenandoah. One of the juror's involved in the case simply commented, "No one was hurt."Brandon Michael Stephens, 26, Pottsville, was found not guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol.The assistant district attorneys who presented the commonwealth's case commented that usually the weaker cases go to trial as defendants plead guilty in the strong cases against them.New casesJamie Duncan McCabe, 35, Pottsville, went on trial before Judge Charles M. Miller charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and one count each of possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia in the 500 block of North Centre Street, Pottsville. Cpl. Dennis G. Wiederhold made the arrest.Eddie J. Hardison, 33, Sharon, Mercer County, charged with simple assault on Denise Walton of Girardville, which allegedly occurred last Nov. 17 in the 200 block on North Second Street, Pottsville. Patrolman Kirk A. Becker filed the charge. The case is being tried before Judge James P. Goodman.