A Marine, Jose Luis Nazario Jr., accused of murdering four Iraqis was found not guilty in a civilian court after only six hours of deliberation:

The verdict left the 28-year-old defendant in tears. His mother, family and friends cried so loud the judge smacked his gavel in a call for order.

“It’s been a long, hard year for my family,” Nazario said outside the courtroom. “I need a moment to catch my breath and try to get my life back together.”

Thursday’s verdict marks the first time a civilian jury has determined whether the alleged actions of a former military service member in combat violated the law of war.

The jury forewoman, Ingrid Wicken, hugged Nazario’s sobbing mother, Sandra Montanez, without speaking after the verdict was read. “I watched her all week. She was being tortured every day,” Wicken said later.

“I thanked her, God blessed her,” Montanez said. “I told her she gave me my son back. It was something I needed to say.”

Wicken said the panel acquitted Nazario because there was not enough evidence against him.

“I think you don’t know what goes on in combat until you are in combat,” she said.

He was in a civilian court because the charges were brought against him after he was discharged from the Marines.