LIVINGSTON — A Livingston Parish jury on Tuesday acquitted a woman on simple rape and video voyeurism charges, finding that a recorded sexual encounter found during the yearslong investigation of a former sheriff’s deputy did not depict criminal activity.

Melanie Curtin had previously been convicted of first-degree rape and sentenced to life in prison. In her retrial, which opened last week, she faced up to 27 years in prison.

She had been accused of taking part in a 2014 assault at Perkins’ home. The woman who made the accusation testified she was so intoxicated she didn’t know what was going on, and state prosecutors say the woman was unable to give consent.

Simple rape carries a prison term of up to 25 years, while video voyeurism can be punished by up to 2 years behind bars.

Curtin was accused of assaulting the woman with Dennis Perkins, a former Livingston Parish deputy at the center of a juvenile sex-crimes investigation. Curtin was not accused of any offense involving children.

An appeals court had overturned Curtin’s initial sentence, saying the judge had allowed prejudicial material into the trial while also restricting Curtin’s defense. For the retrial, state prosecutors opted against a lesser charge than first-degree rape.

Attorney General Liz Murrill said the following regarding the trial:

“After a retrial, years of delays, extensive court proceedings, and other factors, this is not the outcome we had hoped for—and our disappointment is a grave understatement. While we disagree with the jury’s verdict, we respect its decision.

The victim in this case endured horrific abuse at the hands of Dennis Perkins and courageously testified about that trauma. The crime committed against her was profoundly damaging, and it is clear we have more work to do in Louisiana to better protect survivors of sexual assault.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the victim, who so courageously testified, even though this has been emotional torture for her. I am so sorry the system failed her. She did not deserve what she has been forced to endure.

I remain deeply concerned about court rulings in this case that significantly weakened the protections of our rape shield law, and I will continue fighting to address those failures and ensure fairness and accountability in our courts.

I am also deeply troubled by a certain media campaign that I believe was an intentional effort to influence the legal process, poison the jury, and undermine confidence in the justice system.

However, Dennis Perkins, a sick, demented, disgusting, and evil person, will die in prison for his heinous crimes, and Cynthia Perkins will remain incarcerated for decades.

I want to thank our prosecutors, Erica Moore, Barry Milligan, Cassidy Smith, and Joseph LeBeau, for their hard work and dedication in pursuing justice. Thank you also to STAR for its victim advocacy and for standing with the victim throughout this entire ordeal.

I will never stop fighting to protect victims and seek justice for survivors of sexual assault across Louisiana.”