BUFFALO, N.Y. — A man who was charged in the shooting death of a youth football coach in 2019 was found not guilty of murder on Thursday.
The verdict in Jason Washington's trial was announced Thursday afternoon.
The jury found Washington not guilty of murdering Norzel Aldridge in 2019. They also found him not guilty of attempted murder. However, the jury found the 20-year-old guilty of manslaughter, assault, and criminal possession of a weapon.
Washington testified Wednesday that he shot Aldridge in self-defense.
Aldridge, 36, was a well known youth football coach in Buffalo. He was shot and killed after a game in Emerson Park behind the Harvey Austin School August of 2019.
The Erie County District Attorney says Washington faces a maximum of 32 years in prison and he will ask for the full 32.
Washington was a teenager when he was charged with the shooting. He refused a plea deal and testified in court on Wednesday.
The shooting happened after a fight involving Washington's cousin. Those involved tell 2 On Your Side there was already bad blood between the parties involved.
Washington told the court on Wednesday, "I didn't intend to kill anybody." He claims to have heard the victim say "they want to play grown-man games, I'm going to get my gun."
It is after that when Washington pulled out his gun and opened fire, striking two people.
Washington is scheduled to be back in court for sentencing on April 21.