Arrest warrant for Kate Steinle alleged killer unsealed

Amy Hollyfield Image
ByAmy Hollyfield KGO logo
Sunday, December 3, 2017
Kate Steinle suspect found not guilty, acquitted of murder and manslaughter
In a surprising verdict, the jury of six men and six women deliberated and came back with a not guilty verdict, acquitting defendant Jose Ines Garcia Zarate. He was facing second degree murder charges for killing 32-year-old Pleasanton resident Kate Steinle on July 1, 2015, at Pier 14 in San Francisco.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- An arrest warrant was for a man who had been accused of killing a woman named Kate Steinle on a San Francisco pier in 2015 was unsealed on Friday.

Officials said the warrant is for a supervised release violation.

The Department of Justice released a statement saying: "There is an existing federal detainer that requires this defendant to be remanded into the custody of US Marshals Service to be transported to the Western District of Texas pursuant to the arrest warrant."

On Thursday, a jury decided Jose Ines Garcia Zarate did not intentionally kill Kate Steinle at Pier 14 in San Francisco and found him only guilty of possessing a gun.

People are remembering Steinle as they gathered around candles and her photo at Pier 14 on Friday.

WATCH VIDEO: Kate Steinle trial focused on shooting despite spotlight on immigration

Emotions are continuing to run strong after a jury reached a not guilty verdict in the trial of the man accused of killing Kate Steinle at Pier 14 in San Francisco.

Those on both sides of this case are calling for everyone to remember the Steinle family during this difficult time to show them love and support.

Jose Ines Garcia Zarate showed little emotion when the verdict was read. The jury had the options of first or second degree murder or involuntary manslaughter, but found him not guilty of any of those charges.

Zarate's attorneys argued he accidentally shot Kate Steinle and the gun he found on the ground just went off when he picked it up. Attorney's from both sides are asking that everyone respect the verdict.

VIDEO: How the killing of Kate Steinle launched a battle over sanctuary cities

"They deliberated as a group, they heard read-back testimony, they looked at the physical evidence and they rendered the verdict to the best of their ability in accordance to the law," defense attorney Matt Gonzalez said.

"It was a verdict we were not hoping for. I know that both sides fought very hard but again the jury is the one, the jurors are the ones that make a determination on a case and we will respect that decision," said Alex Bastian, spokesperson, San Francisco district attorney's office.

TIMELINE: How the Kate Steinle case unfolded

The trial begins in the case that ignited a national debate on sanctuary cities and illegal immigration.

Garcia Zarate was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He could be sentenced up to three years for that offense, but gets credit for time served and he's been in jail for about a two and a half years.

His sentencing date has not been set.

Click here to look back at the events of the Kate Steinle murder trial.