AC repairman Robert Moore walks out of jail following "not guilty" verdict in murder trial

PHOENIX - Robert Moore, an AC repairman who was found "not guilty" of murdering a Surprise man in 2018, has walked out of jail as a free man Thursday.

Moore said he shot and killed 41-year-old Frank Pineda after he was attacked, and that his actions were done in self-defense.

Moore spoke with FOX 10 after he was released from jail Thursday afternoon.

"It was self-defense. I told the cops from the get-go it was self-defense," said Moore. "I called the cops. They arrested me under false pretenses July 24 of '18, and I'm glad to be out."

Moore was doing work on the AC unit at Pineda's home at the time of the incident. Moore told police that Pineda got upset the repair was taking too long, and demanded he return half of the $200 he was paid.

Frank Pineda

Moore said he threw a $100 bill on the ground, and that's when Pineda started beating him.

"He attacked me in a blind rage, and it turns out, he was on methamphetamines is the reason why. He beat me down to the ground, and I told him I had a firearm and I warned him and he beat me down to the ground, beat my head in again and I warned him again, and I shot him," said Moore.

During his trial, Moore's attorney told the jury Pineda had meth in his system during the fight. Moore said he called police after the shooting.

Following the verdict, Pineda's family was visibly upset.

Moore said before his arrest, he had a perfect record, not even a speeding ticket.