New Jack found innocent

 CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (Staff) -- ECW wrestler New Jack, accused of striking an opponent with a toaster and cutting him with a razor has been found innocent of assault.

 A jury in Chelsea District Court deliberated about two hours Thursday before acquitting Jerome Young, known profesionally as New Jack, and hailing from Philadelphia.

 Another wrestler, Erich Kulas, testified that New Jack, 36, beat him with a guitar, toaster and crutch during an ECW wrestling card at the Wonderland Greyhound Park in Revere, Mass. in November 1996.

 New Jack, formerly one half of the tag team known as The Gangstas with Mustafa, also cut him with a razor across the forehead, a practice referred to in wrestling as blading, leaving a cut that required 50 stitches to close, said Kulas, 19, of Cranston, R.I.

 EMT workers rushed to Kulas's aid immediately after the incident but New Jack continued to kick and stomp at him.

 Fans in attendance cheered on New Jack while Kulas's father, sitting in the front row, screamed for the match to be stopped.

 Young's attorney James Merberg said Kulas participated willingly in the match and stayed in the ring because he wanted to break into Extreme Championship Wrestling. Kulas was not offered a position with ECW following this incident.
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 - with files from Canoe wire services