The jury or the prosecutor didn't think so. Story doesn't say what the original charges were so we can't tell if it was the prosecutor or the jury which found him guilty of manslaughter, which is at least a couple of degrees below first degree murder, depending on the state.
He was charged with 2nd degreee manslaughter. Apparently the verdict was not beyond a reasonable doubt, because the jury foreman was in tears when she read the verdict. Beyond a reasonable doubt doesn't generate tears, guilt and the conflict of uncertainly does. The jury was apparently intent on heading off to Christmas activities.
"At 9 p.m., the forewoman, through tears, read the decision to a hushed courtroom."