A Derry man has been found not guilty of murdering Barry McCrory in 2013.
Kieran McLaughlin
Kieran Edward Joseph McLaughlin, from Elaghmore Park, had denied murdering Barry McCrory, who was shot dead in October 2013.
He was found dead in bed at a flat in Shipquay Street in the city centre.
There was uproar when the verdict was read out acquitting Mr McLaughlin.
Tearful relatives of the deceased were at Belfast Crown Court to hear the ruling.
Judge Mr Justice Horner, who sat alone without a jury in the diplock case, said there was no forensic evidence to link Mr McLaughlin to the killing.
“The court must conclude that the charge of murder against the defendant has not been proven to the requisite standard,” the judge told the court.
“The Crown has not discharged the heavy burden of proof placed upon it to prove beyond reasonable doubt the defendant committed the murder of the deceased.”
However, the judge found Mr McLaughlin guilty of possessing the loaded sawn-off double barrelled shotgun and a Mauser pistol with intent to endanger life.
Mr McLauglin had previously pleaded guilty to possessing the firearms and a quantity of ammunition in suspicious circumstances.
He will be sentenced in May following the preparation of a pre-sentence report.