Gynecologist acquitted of sexual abuse

JERSEYVILLE -- A Jersey County jury has acquitted a former obstetrician and gynecologist of charges he drugged and sexually abused female patients.

The jury returned the verdict Saturday for Dr. Roger Schroeder.

Grand jurors indicted 56-year-old Schroeder in May 2006, accusing him of fondling a female patient during her hospitalization four months earlier. A similar case was later added, and Schroeder was on trial for both.

Schroder took the stand on Thursday and repeatedly denied the charges against him, which included aggravated criminal sexual abuse.