The verdict in Kate Steinle’s case has caused controversy and disappointed many people, including President Donald Trump. Here is what you need to know about the situation.
An undocumented immigrant named Jose Ines Garcia Zarate, who admitted to fatally shooting Kate Steinle, has been found not guilty of second-degree murder. On July 1, 2015, Steinle, 32, was taking a walk with her father on a San Francisco pier when she was shot by Zarate.
Zarate has been deported to Mexico five times. Following the shooting, the Kate Steinle case became part of the debate about the removal of undocumented immigrants with criminal records.
During the 2016 presidential race, Donald Trump cited Steinle’s death as a reason to toughen immigration policies.
Although Zarate has confessed to shooting Steinle in the back, he also claims that the gun went off accidentally.
Trumps Outraged by Kate Steinle Verdict
Following the verdict on November 30, President Donald Trump took to Twitter, writing, “A disgraceful verdict in the Kate Steinle case! No wonder the people of our Country are so angry with Illegal Immigration.”
A disgraceful verdict in the Kate Steinle case! No wonder the people of our Country are so angry with Illegal Immigration.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 1, 2017
Trump’s son, Donald Jr., also tweeted about the outcome: “What a disgrace. Don’t let the rest of the country become California. If this isn’t a wake call up [sic] to reasonable and law abiding people I don’t know what is.”
What a disgrace. Don’t let the rest of the country become California. If this isn’t a wake call up to reasonable and law abiding people I don’t know what is. https://t.co/oOhPWXVU7u
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) December 1, 2017
Zarate has also been found not guilty of assault with a deadly weapon and involuntary manslaughter or assault with a firearm. He faces 16 months to three years in state prison. However, U.S. immigration officials have said that Zarate will be deported whenever his case ends.
A sentencing date has not yet been set.
Kate Steinle’s family is very disappointed with the outcome of the case, especially her father, who was with her when she was shot. Jim Steinle said, “There’s no other way you can coin it. Justice was rendered, but it was not served.”
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