MAYVILLE, N.Y. — Justin Haffa of Cheektowaga was found not guilty of attempted murder, first-degree robbery or aggravated assault in Chautauqua County Court Wednesday.

"I'm elated at the outcome of this matter. Mr. Haffa, from the very beginning since he was arrested, maintained his innocence," said Ned Barone, Chautauqua County public defender.

"When you hear a verdict like that with the work we put in and what we believed happened out there, we are somewhat disappointed. We have to put in front of the jury the case that we have and sometimes we don't have enough to give them what they want," said Patrick Swanson, (D) Chautauqua County district attorney.

Prosecutors say Haffa attacked a female Chautauqua County deputy with a knife and took her gun during a struggle before he ran off into the woods back in September 2016. He was found guilty, however, of a lesser robbery charge for taking the deputy's gun from her, but a knife was never found. Neither the deputy nor her family wished to comment on the verdict.

"She's disappointed, a little upset. She's taking this hard. This was a very traumatic incident for her," said Swanson.

Swanson says the jury told his staff there was not enough evidence, something Barone had stated from the start. He credits the jury for listening, not so much to the evidence presented, but for picking up on what was not.

"There was no knife. Where are the medical records that would corroborate there was a weapon, that there was a knife, that there was an alleged choking? Where are they? Where's the DNA evidence?" said Barone.

"Overwhelmed. Super happy. Super happy. Relieved and grateful to the jury," said JoAnn and Jim Lahrs, of Cheektowaga.

Haffa's grandparents have been in the courtroom to support him every step of the way. This was his second go-around in court after Judge David Foley declared a mistrial back in September because the defense did not receive a piece of DNA evidence prior to the proceedings.

"Very difficult. Very difficult. Great personality, just a lovable kid. Very mild mannered. It's an unfortunate situation and it's totally against his character," said Lahrs.

Bail was set at $25,000. Haffa is set to be sentenced April 2.