Syracuse, N.Y. - Johanen Pizzaro, the man found not guilty of shooting to death a 12 year, will still go to jail.
Pizarro was sentenced to five years in prison on a weapons charge. After his release, he must also serve five years of parole. Last week a jury acquitted Pizarro on all charges, including second-degree murder, for the death of 12-year-old James Springer, III. Prosecutors believed Pizarro fired a dozen shots at a group of people on an October night last year killing the Grant Middle School student.
Alberto Pinet pleaded guilty to a weapons charge for Springer’s death. Prosecutors say Pinet ordered the shooting of another person as revenge. `
The accused getaway driver, Anthony Rodriguez, initially pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a weapon in Springer’s death to avoid a murder charge but backed out.
Rodriguez is scheduled to stand trial on March 9, 2020.