MIAMI — A Florida jury has acquitted a former handyman of trying to kill Latin songwriter Estefano in a shooting at his Miami waterfront mansion.Jurors deliberated less than three hours Wednesday before clearing 31-year-old Francisco Oliveira Jr. of attempted murder in the May 2007 attack. He had faced at least 25 years in prison.

Estefano testified it was Oliveira who shot him twice while he begged for his life. The songwriter blames the shooting on a financial dispute.Oliveira attorneys questioned Estefano's memory and stressed the lack of other evidence pointing to Oliveira.

Estefano has composed and produced hit songs for many of the Latin music world's biggest stars: Shakira, Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan, Marc Anthony and others.