Chicago man charged in 20-month-old's death acquitted

CHICAGO (AP) - A Cook County jury has acquitted a Chicago man charged with first-degree murder in the 2010 death of a 20-month-old girl.

Danzeal Finley was accused of firing into an automobile as it was parked on a South Side street and killing Cynia Cole. Authorities at the time said they believe the girl's father, Jerome Hendricks, was the intended target.

The girl's mother, Alberta Cole, was on the porch of their home and allegedly saw the shooter. After being identified as a suspect, Finley surrendered to police.

Public Defender Brendan Max told jurors Cole made a mistake when she identified his 26-year-old client as Cynia's killer. Prosecutor Thomas Mahoney noted the absence of DNA and Finley's fingerprints at the crime scene did not absolve Finley.

The jurors on Friday agreed with Max after nearly four hours of deliberations.