VIRGINIA BEACH A man accused of killing his uncle's girlfriend was found not guilty Friday afternoon.
The jury deliberated more than six hours before announcing the decision in the first degree murder trial of Joshua Heim.
He was charged with the November 30, 2009 murder of Julie Lynn Bass in her home on Fairaid Lane.
Police said Heim, 20, was staying at the home while she and his uncle were in California.
She returned the night before while her boyfriend stayed on the West Coast for work.
'We respectfuly disagree with the jury's decision and ultimately we're disappointed, but it's the jury's decision. We obviously feel there was sufficient evidence to prosecute this case,' said commonwealth's attorney spokeswoman Macie Pridgen.
Heim's first trial ended in a mistrial in June after a juror was arrested on a drunken driving charge, the Virginian Pilot reported.
