The South Buffalo man who fatally shot his girlfriend nearly three years ago outside his Edson Street home has been acquitted of all charges filed against him in connection with the shooting.
Shane Casado, 27, was found not guilty of both second degree murder and first degree manslaughter charges by an Erie County Court jury Thursday afternoon, after six hours of deliberations.
Rachael Wierzbicki, 22, from Orchard Park was shot with a .22 caliber rifle on the night of Nov. 27, 2018 and was pronounced dead on arrival after being taken to Erie County Medical Center.
Casado and Wierzbicki were in a relationship at the time, and defense attorneys said Casado was being threatened by Wierzbicki, adding she was emotionally abusive. Casado maintains he shot her in self-defense.
Prosecutors said the shooting was intentional.
