BUFFALO, N.Y. — A Buffalo man accused of shooting his girlfriend, and killing her, was found not guilty by a jury Thursday afternoon.
The jury reached a verdict after two-days of deliberations.
Shane Casado was accused in the November 2018 shooting death of 22-year-old Rachael Wierzbicki, who was in a relationship with Casado.
Casado claimed he shot her in self-defense.
Some observers in the courtroom had expected a quick verdict after the prosecution and defense rested. But the judge did carefully go over points such as self-defense, intent, deadly physical force, and a defense by justification.
That came after the defense attorney’s claim that Casado was worried that Wierzbicki had threatened violence in past relationships and that she was emotionally abusive. They also said that Casado had called 911 for police that night.
But prosecutors had contend that he intentionally shot the victim twice with his .22 caliber rifle as they stood on the driveway where he was living in South Buffalo and that there is no real motive.
Jurors watched a video of Casado’s statement to police and heard a read back of testimony from witnesses. There were two people who said Wierzbicki wanted them to come along in her drive from Orchard Park as she confronted her boyfriend because he was having sex with other women.
One witness named Perkins said Wierzbicki attempted a hug that Casado shrugged off. He did not hear any actual argument between them or raised voices, but did observe Wierzbicki apparently kicking a tire on Casado's car. He said he then saw Casado shoot her with the rifle.
Casado's mother, Annette, spoke to reporters after the verdict. She thanked those who supported her son. She also gave her condolences to the Wierzbicki family.
