Immig is cleared in S.F. killing

AN UNDOCUMENTED immigrant was found not guilty of killing a woman on a San Francisco pier two years ago in a case that sparked a political firestorm during the 2016 presidential race.

Jose Ines Garcia Zarate became the poster child for Donald Trump’s push to deport undocumented immigrants and erect a border wall after Zarate was accused of fatally shooting 32-year-old Kathryn Steinle while she walked with her father in July 2015.

Garcia Zarate was deported from the United States five times and was on a list for removal from the country when the shooting occurred.

The jury acquitted Garcia Zarate of charges ranging from involuntary manslaughter to murder. However, it found him guilty of gun possession.

Garcia Zarate never denied shooting Steinle. But he said the shooting was an accident.

Steinle's family was left stunned by the verdict.

“We’re just shocked — saddened and shocked. That’s about it,” Steinle’s father, Jim, told the San Francisco Chronicle. “There’s no other way you can coin it. Justice was rendered, but it was not served.”

Trump fumed on Twitter shortly after the verdict, calling it “disgraceful.” “No wonder the people of our Country are so angry with Illegal Immigration,” he added.