This is good news, of course, and it is about criminal violations.
Remember, though, that the offender can be sued in a civil action, much the way O.J. Simpson and Robert Blake were, after their criminal trials ended in not guilty verdicts. Those actions were wrongful death suits.
The burden of proof is lower in a civil action than a criminal one, so it is usually easier for an injured party to prevail, even if the perp "got off" in his criminal case.
Note, however, that a losing defendant can sometimes sidestep a finding against him by filing bancruptcy, or, as in O.J.'s case, move out of the state.
(O.J. has spent almost all his money, and the only income he has is his NFL pension. Under Florida law, where he now lives, pensions are protected from attachment in a civil action award; and the California court has no jurisdiction there.)
NOTE: I'm not an attorney, but I was a paralegal years ago. Hopefully, you'll never have to go through this, but if a spouse or close family member is killed, retain an attorney immediately!!
