The adolescent son of a professional boxer who was on trial for attempted murder was a key witness in the acquittal of his father on Monday.

A Common Pleas Court jury found Rayco Saunders, 33, not guilty in the July 8, 2006, shooting of James Jones, 31, in Beltzhoover.

Mr. Saunders had been charged with attempted homicide, two counts of aggravated assault, three counts of reckless endangerment and two counts of conspiracy to commit murder.

Mr. Saunders' son testified at the trial, helping to convince a jury of an alibi in the shooting of Mr. Jones.

Mr. Saunders, who two years ago wore a T-shirt that scorned informants when he refused to testify against his attackers in an unrelated 2005 case, also was once a North American Boxing Council champion in the cruiserweight division. He won the title in 2004 in a fight at Heinz Field.

Mr. Saunders' attorney, G. William Bills Jr., said his client plans to continue boxing training.