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The undocumented Mexican immigrant accused of killing Kate Steinle was found not guilty of murder by a jury in San Francisco. The jury’s decision reignited the debate over sanctuary cities and immigration policy.

On Thursday, the six men and six women jury acquitted Jose Ines Garcia Zarate of murder in the first and second degrees. The jurors also cleared him of involuntary manslaughter and assault with a weapon charges. They convicted him of possession of a firearm by a felon. Garcia Zarate could get a prison sentence of three years.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Garcia Zarate intentionally shot Kate Steinle with a Sig Sauer .40 caliber gun two years ago. Four days before the incident, the gun was stolen from the parked car of visiting ranger from the Bureau of Land Management. There was no evidence linking Garcia Zarate to that robbery.

On the other hand, the defense lawyer argued that the shooting was an accident. Garcia Zarate found the gun wrapped in a cloth under his sear the pier. The gun fired accidentally. The expert witnesses who testified proved that the bullet ricocheted off the ground then traveled approximately 80 feet before hitting Kate Steinle.

Kate Steinle’s family:  Justice was rendered, but it was not served”

After the jury’s verdict, the family of Kate Steinle shared their reaction to SF Chronicle. According to her father Jim, “We’re just shocked—saddened and shocked…that’s about it. There’s no other way you can coin it. Justice was rendered, but it was not surprised.”

Prior to the jury’s decision, Mr. Steinle told the newspaper that they are frustrated and sad. He also stated that they have no feeling of anger, retaliation or vindictiveness because they are not that kind of people.

Mr. Steinle said, Even if this guy gets 100 years in prison, it doesn’t solve anything; it doesn’t help anything. We would just like people to know ... that’s the Steinles’ feelings.”

Pres. Trump calls jury’s decision disgraceful

On Thursday night, President Donald Trump expressed disappointment with the jury’s not guilty verdict for the accused undocumented Mexican immigrant.

He tweeted, “A disgraceful verdict in the Kate Steinle case! No wonder the people of our Country are so angry with illegal immigration.”

On the other hand, Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a statement reiterating his position against sanctuary city policies.

Sessions said, “When jurisdictions choose to return criminal aliens to the streets rather than turning them over to federal immigration authorities, they put the public’s safety at risk. San Francisco’s decision to protect criminal aliens led to the preventable and heartbreaking death of Kate Steinle.”

He added that Garcia Zarate “would not have been on the streets of San Francis if the city simply honored an ICE detainer.” Furthermore, he encouraged the leaders of the communities in the country to reflect on the result of the case.

Meanwhile, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Deputy Director Tom Homan criticized San Francisco’s sanctuary city policy. He said it is a “blatant threat to public safety and undermines the law.”

In addition, Homan said “ICE will work to take custody of Mr. Garcia Zarate and ultimately remove him from the country."