Man acquitted in assault, rape

A former Columbia resident accused of raping and assaulting his estranged wife was found not guilty yesterday by a Howard County jury.

The jury acquitted David T. McNey, 44, on all six charges he faced -- first- and second-degree rape, a third-degree sex offense, first- and second-degree assault, and false imprisonment.

McNey's wife, Michelle McNey, from whom he had been separated since November 2006, reported to police in December of that year that he threatened her with a shotgun and raped her.

McNey faced a maximum penalty of life in prison.