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Billings, MT - Two former Yellowstone County Sheriff’s deputies did not act criminally in the shooting death of Loren Simpson last winter, a jury ruled unanimously Wednesday following a two-day coroner’s inquest.

Jason Robinson and Christopher Rudolph were found justified in killing 28-year-old Simpson on Jan. 8, 2015, as Simpson approached them on White Buffalo Road in Huntley driving a Ford Explorer that had been reported stolen.Robinson was training Rudolph who had been a deputy less than five months. Both men resigned from the sheriff’s office five days after the shooting.

After the verdict, the Simpson family's attorney Nathan Wagner said they respected the Jury's verdict, but believed the civil case pending against Yellowstone County in federal court still has merit."We are confident that the outcome will be different when we are allowed to present the rest of the evidence and cross examine the witnesses at the civil trial," Wagner said. "We look forward to the opportunity to continue pursuing justice for the family.

"Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder said he was glad for the jury's verdict but could not comment on matters related to the resignation of both deputies due to the active litigation.