Third District Judge Elizabeth Hruby-Mills repeated those same words eight more times Thursday evening, rendering the verdict handed up by a jury of five men and three women, who wrestled with the public corruption-related charges for more than 12 hours before acquitting the former Republican officeholder on each of nine felony and misdemeanor counts.
Swallow was stoic before the judge's reading of the first count, tearful with each successive verdict and joyful when his vindication was complete. He hugged his lawyers and turned to offer Suzanne, his wife of 30 years, a broad, relieved smile.
"I'm speechless," Swallow said after he left a courtroom filled with elated, but weeping family and friends. "We're just so grateful, and the system did work."
He praised his defense team, expressed gratitude for a Constitution that protects the rights of the accused and said he was glad his struggle had come to an end.
As for what's next, Swallow said his focus would be on loving his family and the friends who had stood by him through the ordeal. "And to maybe get a good night's sleep for the first time in a couple of years."
The outcome was a dramatic end to the biggest political scandal in Utah history — one that mushroomed out of multiple investigations, including probes by the Utah House, the attorney general's office, the lieutenant governor's office and by state and federal criminal agencies.
