The jury acquitted William Barnes after a week-long trial in which prosecutors tried to argue there was a chain of direct causation between his shooting of Walter Barclay in 1966 and Barclay's death from a urinary tract infection in 2007.
Barnes, now 74, served 16 years in prison for attempted murder after the shooting.
He shot Barclay during an attempted robbery, injuring his spine and leaving him needing to use a wheelchair.
"He has long expressed remorse and regret for shooting Officer Barclay, but he felt that shot didn't cause Officer Barclay's death," said Barnes' defense attorney Sam Silver.
Prosecutors had argued the illnesses that caused Barclay's death were the direct result of the gunshots fired by Barnes.
The defense maintained that any links between the shooting and Barnes' death were broken by three car accidents, two falls from his wheelchair and neglect by nursing home staff, all of which could have contributed to ending his life.
Barnes is in custody because of a parole violation and is not expected to be released soon, Silver said.
Despite the acquittal, Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams issued a statement saying: "William Barnes may not have been convicted of murder, but it doesn't take away from what he did. While it took over 40 years for that death to happen, it doesn't make it any less sad or senseless."
By Jon Hurdle
Reuters
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