MILWAUKEE — People gathered at a vigil for Joel Acevedo on Friday evening in Milwaukee after a jury found Michael Mattioli not guilty of homicide.
Twenty-five candles were placed underneath a mural in his honor, one for each year of Acevedo's life.
Friends and supporters of the Acevedos gathered in the cold on Friday night to share their disappointment and disbelief at the verdict.
- FULL TRIAL COVERAGE: Jury finds Michael Mattioli not guilty of homicide in chokehold death of Joel Acevedo
"It hurts so bad to see the fight and the struggle, to be around the Acevedo family and to see what they've been through for the last three and a half years and for it to come to this," said Cecil Lacy.
Shortly after the judge read a not-guilty verdict against Michael Mattioli, Acevedo's parents shared their grief with reporters while wearing shirts that showed their son's last heartbeat.
"The facts were there, they came to their decision and I totally disagree," said Jose Acevedo.
"There's a lot of questions, not a lot of answers, but there's peace that I can find," Maribel Acevedo shared "There's peace that they can't take. Because I know Joel is home."
Family and friends say the fight isn't over as a civil lawsuit has been filed in federal court.
Former Milwaukee police officer Michael Mattioli has been acquitted of homicide charges in the death of Joel Acevedo after a jury found him not guilty on Friday, Nov. 10.
Mattioli was off-duty in April 2020 when he woke up to find Acevedo allegedly going through his stuff. He believed Acevedo was stealing from him and asked him to leave. Mattioli also called 911, but the situation turned physical. At one point, Mattioli held him down until police arrived.
Prosecutors argued that physical force is what led to Acevedo's death six days later. Mattioli's attorneys argued Acevedo's medical issues, along with drugs and alcohol, were responsible for his death.
WATCH: Attorney provides analysis of the trial
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