MIAMI -- A man charged with second-degree murder in the death of 9-year-old Sherdavia Jenkins was found guilty Thursday of lesser charges.

A jury found Damon Darling, 26, guilty of manslaughter and aggravated assault for discharging a firearm.

Prosecutors said Jenkins was hit by a bullet in 2006 outside her Liberty City home as Darling and Leroy Larose were engaged in a gun battle. Prosecutors said the bullet that killed Jenkins came from Darling’s AK-47.

Jenkins' family rejoiced when they learned that Darling was convicted. Three years of grief, anger and the kind of fear that warranted metal detectors at the courtroom door all came down to Thursday's verdict.

Darling's conviction on the lesser offense was still a conviction, a sign that the six jurors had no reasonable doubt that Darling did kill Jenkins, a lively, doll-playing, chess-loving 9-year-old.

"To be honest, there will never be closure because we still have a part of our lives missing. But we can begin to try to heal," said David Jenkins, Sherdavia's father.

Jurors toured for themselves earlier this week the courtyard where Jenkins played on her porch with her sister and a friend on that 2006 day. It was the same sunny summer day when, prosecutors said, Darling spotted his enemy, Larose, across the courtyard at the Liberty Square complex and opened fire.

"She wasn't the primary target, but I think that's what the jury took into consideration," said prosecutor Kathleen Hoague.

Forty-five years is the most prison time Darling can get for manslaughter and an aggravated assault.

"You've got to be happy when your client is not convicted of murder, but we'll appeal and we will continue to fight," said defense attorney Jonathon Meltz.

Larose, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, will spend 7 years in prison. He testified against Darling.

The crime and the case made national court television broadcasts. Sherdavia became the face of the horrific toll racked up by convicts with grudges and automatic weapons.

"We're grateful to the people that came forward. We encourage people in their communities to do that. It's the only way for us to be able to stop violence and to help other children," said prosecutor Monica Gordo.