LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A jury in Kentucky has found a 17-year-old not guilty in the beating death of his stepbrother.
The Jefferson County Circuit Court jury in Louisville deliberated about nine hours before returning the verdict Friday. Jurors also found Joshua Young not guilty of tampering with physical evidence.
Prosecutors contended Young was involved in the 2011 fatal beating of 14-year-old Trey Zwicker. Defense attorneys said Young's father, Joshua Gouker, was the sole killer. Gouker already pleaded guilty to murder in the boy's death.
The Courier-Journal reports that Joshua Young was beaming after the verdict was read.
Zwicker's mother hung her head, and his family — weeping as they left the courtroom — did not speak to reporters.
After initially trying to blame the death on Young, Gouker repeatedly said he killed Zwicker alone.
