A Birmingham man has been acquitted in the shooting death of his brother-in-law during an argument at the family home.

A Jefferson County jury found Raymond Edward Akins, 43, not guilty in the shooting death of 38-year-old Howard Johnson.

Akins’ trial began Monday before Jefferson County Circuit Judge Alaric May. The jury returned its acquittal on Thursday afternoon.

Akins was represented by attorneys Rolando Rankin and Arnold Bush. The case was prosecuted by Jefferson County deputy district attorneys Foster Marshall and Zander Carrie.

The shooting happened April 7, 2021, at the home Akins shared with his mother.

Birmingham police were dispatched to the residence on Avenue G about 10:15 p.m. that Wednesday on a report of a shooting.

They arrived to find Johnson dead in the hallway of the home from a gunshot wound to the chest.

Testimony showed that Akins and his mother were arguing that night. Akins’ sister and her husband – Johnson – came to the home to intervene.

Akins fended them off and Johnson made mention of having a gun.

Akins went to his bedroom to get away and as he was entering the room, he was struck in the back of the head by Johnson. Akins then turned around and shot Johnson.

Though Johnson was not armed with a gun at the time he was shot, the jury found that Akins had reason to believe he was and determined he shot his brother-in-law in self-defense.

“He’s been vindicated,’’ Rankin said.