Fresno felon found not guilty in murder of Kerman farmer case

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Fresno jury found a felon on trial for murder not guilty in the shooting death of a well-known Kerman farmer.

Fabian Mansanalez was accused of killing George Salwasser Jr., despite the fact that prosecutors say someone else shot the victim. Mansanalez admitted to stealing a pickup truck and arranging to sell the rims. Salwasser interrupted the men who were removing the rims and one of them shot the farmer. The jury did find Mansanalez guilty of carrying a weapon as a felon and receiving stolen property.

Defense attorney Mark Siegel said, "The criminal justice system has broken down to some extent that's why it got this far. And I'm glad the jury could see what a number of legal professionals couldn't see."

Prosecutors say Jose Canas was the person who actually shot Salwasser. He's scheduled to face his own murder trial in the fall. Mansanalez faces several years in prison for the two felony convictions.