Gary Indiana: Career Black Criminal Jerode Cursey (24) beats the murder charged lodged against him... So street justice BEAT HIM TO A PULP, ASS RAPED HIM AND THEN BURNED HIM ALIVE - I think I would have rather gone to prison....

PHOTOS: JERODE CURSEY AND THE LAST KNOWN PHOTO OF HIM ALIVE

Ten months ago, Jerode Cursey walked out of a Lake County courthouse a free man, after a jury acquitted him of murder.

Cursey, 24, was found dead inside his burning van early Thursday in a garage in the 1800 block of Pennsylvania Street, in Gary, just blocks from his home. He was originally listed by the Lake County coroner as unidentified, but investigators learned his name Friday.

He had been shot in the head, police said. The van was registered in Illinois and belonged to a friend, police said. Firefighters responded to the garage fire shortly before 7 a.m. and later determined the fire was intentionally set, police said.

Cursey was charged with murder in the September 2013, shooting death of Dewayne Young, 39, also of Gary. A Lake County jury acquitted him Feb. 20. Investigators say they do not believe the trial outcome is directly related to Cursey's homicide.

Police say there is no one in custody and investigators are pursuing leads.

Anyone with information can call Sgt. Edward Jenkins at 219-755-3852.