Guard Acquitted in McLouth Teen Shooting
(AP) Officials say a hotel security guard who shot a McLouth, Kansas teen vacationing in Costa Rica two years ago has been acquitted of homicide charges in his second trial.
Jorge Guevara fired on Justin David Johnston as the 16-year-old tried to get into a northern Costa Rica hotel from a neighboring property early on the morning of June 2, 2011.
Guevara said he fired a warning shot when he saw someone he thought was a burglar. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison but won a new trial on appeal and was acquitted this week by a three-judge panel. Judges said he was legitimately confused by Johnston's attempt to enter from a nearby property instead of the hotel's main entrance.
Johnston’s mother says her family is “ devastated” by the decision.
The decision is expected to be appealed by Costa Rican prosecutors.
© Associated Press
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