An Easton jury acquitted Dr. John Mastandrea of assault charges after a two-day trial where estranged wife Anita recanted earlier claims that Dr. Mastandrea hit her. Mastandrea told the court she suffers from bipolar disorder and says that at the time of the alleged assault she was manic and agitated. The incident set off mutual protective orders. Despite the testimony, the judge rejected the defense motion to dismiss. It took the jury less than one hour to come back with the verdict of not guilty. Dr. Mastandrea tried unsuccessfully to run for a seat on the Talbot school board.