A Worcester dentist has been acquitted of sexually assaulting a female patient while performing a dental procedure last year.
The Telegram & Gazette reports that a jury deliberated for about 45 minutes Tuesday before finding Nikhilkumar Patel, of Shrewsbury, not guilty of a single count of indecent assault and battery.
The 36-year-old woman testified that the 55-year-old Patel had touched her breast while performing a procedure at his office in August.
Patel's lawyer said the patient had intended to sue the dentist and misinterpreted "some inadvertent touching." The attorney said there had been a "rush to judgment" by investigators.
Patel still faces charges of inappropriately touching two other women patients.
His license to practice dentistry remains active.
