Mark Torre, Jr. retrial verdict: not guilty

Late this afternoon in Judge Arthur Barcinas' courtroom, a jury of 12 found former policeman Mark Torre, Jr. not guilty for the 2015 homicide of fellow police officer Elbert Piolo. An amended indictment charged Torre with negligent homicide, aggravated assault both with special allegations attached for the possession or use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony.

This was the government's second try at convicting Torre. And this time around, the jury ultimately ruled in favor of the defense. Torre walked out of the courtroom feeling overwhelmed.

"I'm very thankful, very appreciative with all of the support over five years. Thank you," Torre said. Defense attorney Jay Arriola said, "I want to thank the jury to have sat through this long trial all these days through the pandemic with concerns about their family, and their loved ones at home they really showed the system works they deliberated four long days this case.

"The system works. We are grateful to the jury we are certainly grateful to Judge Barcinas for running a smooth ship and giving us our speedy trial."

Outside the courtroom, the reaction to the verdict from Elbert Piolo's mother Jeralyn was one of disbelief, as she said, "We're not satisfied with this result, the verdict is so unfair. My son lost his life. He's pleading his life. And he was, the verdict returned was not guilty? What about his firearms. He owns the firearms, it's registered to him. My God, what kind of justice is this?"

She then pointed upward and said, "God Knows, God knows."