A Florida man was found not guilty of his mother’s shooting death after testifying that he was trying to protect her from his father when the gun he drew accidentally fired.
According to NBC Miami, Deltoro Jr. cried and hugged his attorney after hearing the verdict. Other family members sobbed in the courtroom, saying, “Thank you, Jesus.”
Alexander Deltoro, Jr., 33, was acquitted of manslaughter charges in his mother’s December 2019 death. The incident occurred after a dinner to celebrate Deltoro, Jr.’s birthday. According to Local 10, he and his father got into an argument on the way home.
After the family arrived home, the fight escalated and became physical. Deltoro Jr. testified during his trial that he reacted when he saw his father reach into his pocket for something, according to the station.
He stated that he yelled at his father, “Leave us alone!” and “Get away from us!” According to the station, he then began drawing a 9mm Glock handgun and stated, “I went to raise the gun.” That’s when he came in with his left arm and smacked the gun out of my grip… “At that point, the gun fired.”
Cindy Deltoro, 60, was struck in the head when the round went off.
Deltoro, Jr. was charged with first-degree manslaughter, third-degree felony carrying a concealed firearm, and first-degree misdemeanor battery.
