Fresno man found not guilty in beating death of toddler

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Fresno man accused of beating a toddler to death in 2011 will go home a free man Monday night.

A jury found Xavier Hawkins not guilty of murder or assault leading up to the death of his girlfriend's son Syre Bridges.

Prosecutors say Hawkins was smoking pot and playing video games when he was interrupted by the 23-month-old boy. They argued he beat the toddler so hard that he left bruises all over his body.

But his defense attorney says the child's mother also regularly hit the boy. He added Hawkins is ecstatic about being reunited with his family.

"It was an emotional moment. I was surprised and he was surprised," said attorney Scott Baly. "It's an all or nothing moment in a lifetime because it means every day for the rest of his life possibly in prison, but at that moment it means he's going home tonight."

The jury started deliberating on Friday before making their decision Monday afternoon.