BENTON, Ky. (AP) -- A jury in western Kentucky has acquitted a man who was being tried for the second time, in connection with a deadly 1998 fire at a Murray State University dormitory.
A reporter with The Paducah Sun who covered the trial, said the defendant, former Murray State student Jerry Walker Jr., declined comment on his future, saying only "Praise God."
A Marshall County Circuit Court jury deliberated nearly 4-1/2 hours Wednesday, before returning the verdict. The trial lasted a week-and-a-half.
Gail Minger, whose son, Michael Minger, was killed in the fire, said she was shocked but declined further comment.
Walker had been charged with manslaughter, arson, assault, and wanton endangerment. A 2001 trial on different charges associated with the incident, ended with a hung jury.
