RELATED: Dueling theories define Kate Steinle murder trial
Garcia Zarate was found not guilty of murder, involuntary manslaughter, and assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the July 2014 shooting death of Steinle. He was, however, convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
TIMELINE: How the Kate Steinle case unfolded
After his acquittal, a federal grand jury indicted Garcia Zarate Dec. 5 on the charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition as well as being an "illegally present alien" in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
"Mr. Garcia Zarate is grateful to have been exonerated of murder, as he has no history of violence. He is also grateful to Tony Serra for taking his case," said Chief Attorney of the San Francisco Public Defender's Office Matt Gonzalez.