Jeronimo Yanez has been acquitted.
The Minnesota officer who shot and killed Philando Castile during a traffic stop — in an incident that was broadcasted to Facebook by his girlfriend last year — was found not guilty of second-degree manslaughter on Friday. Devastating.
Yanez was also exonerated of two counts of intentional discharge of firearm that endangers safety.
Related: Police Shoot Unarmed Black Therapist For Taking Care Of His Autistic Patient
Understandably and rightfully infuriated after the jury’s verdict, Philando’s mother, Valerie, addressed the press, admitting that she is “mad as hell” at the lack of justice for her son:
NEW: Philando Castile’s mother reacts to not guilty verdict against police officer in the death of her son: “I’m mad as hell right now.” pic.twitter.com/rWsq3XnhHt
— ABC News (@ABC) June 16, 2017
Our hearts break for the Castile family, and for our country, to be honest.
Check out the response to the ruling on Twitter (below):
Philando Castile had a permit to legally carry a gun. Philando Castile had a permit to legally carry a gun. Philando Castile had a permi-
— Philip Lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) June 16, 2017
Thinking of the boy I met last year who said Philando Castile was his best friend because he was the nicest person in his school. For shame: https://t.co/hNj27NzIL7
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) June 16, 2017
I’M SO FUCKING SICK OF THIS. WHERE IS THE JUSTICE? REALLY. FUCK ANYONE INVOLVED IN THE ACQUITTAL OF THIS MURDERER https://t.co/1ZZWCHK2PS
— Megan Mullally (@MeganMullally) June 16, 2017
They shot Philando Castile on Facebook Live in front of his fianc├â┬⌐ and her daughter & even that’s not enough for a guilty verdict. I can’t.
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) June 16, 2017
Philando Castile did everything right, and he still got shot. Not everyone has Second Amendment rights, clearly. https://t.co/P4mBLv8lFd
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) June 16, 2017
He fired seven shots into that car with a child in the backseat and then watched Philando Castile bleed out and die in front of his family.
— Copy McPasty, Writer (@KashannKilson) June 16, 2017
The cop who murdered Philando Castile has been acquitted. I am enraged and heartbroken.
I wrote this last year after he died. Evergreen. pic.twitter.com/C7lXMQmlLo
— Charles Clymer🏳️‍🌈 (@cmclymer) June 16, 2017
