ND Surgeon Acquitted of Drugging, Raping His Wife

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - A jury has acquitted a North Dakota surgeon accused of drugging and raping his wife on all counts.

The jury found 42-year-old Jon Norberg not guilty Wednesday of gross sexual imposition and reckless endangerment. He could have faced up to life in prison if convicted.

Alonna Norberg's attorney argued that Jon Norberg had sex with his unconscious wife after administering to her the anesthetic propofol - the medication that gained notoriety during the trial of the doctor who treated pop star Michael Jackson. Jon Norberg contends that his wife made up the allegations to help in a looming divorce and child custody case.

The Associated Press typically doesn't identify alleged victims of sex crimes, but Alonna Norberg has spoken publicly about the case.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Material may not be redistributed.