As two career criminals were indicted for the death of NYPD officer Jonathan Diller, fellow police delivered a stirring scene as they packed the courtroom.
Assistant District Attorney Gabriel Reale read the indictment at the Queens courtroom Monday against driver Lindy Jones and passenger Guy Rivera who fatally shot Diller during a traffic stop.
More than 200 NYPD officers showed their support and visible solidarity with their fallen brother by packing the courthouse.
“That Kia Soul was the car that the defendant was driving when his passenger, his now-co-defendant, Guy Rivera, pulled a second .380-caliber firearm and fired, killing Police Officer — and now, posthumously, Detective — Jonathan Diller,” the judge read.
“This is a vicious career criminal who has the mentality to kill a New York City police officer. He’s a dangerous individual. Should have never been on the streets,” said Police Benevolent Association (PBA) President Patrick Hendry, according to Fox News.
“There is no excuse, none whatsoever, for this individual to have been out of jail during the time of this homicide of police officer Diller,” Hendry added.
A sea of blue in the Queens courthouse where we heard the indictments of both violent criminals who stole Detective Jonathan Diller from his family and the NYPD. pic.twitter.com/kjbFr9y4N9
— Detectives’ Endowment Association (@NYCPDDEA) April 2, 2024
“My office quoted him saying, ‘I shoot people,’ and that is one reason we do believe he is an amazing flight risk,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said of Jones. “He made it very clear that this is what he does — he shoots people.”
Thousands of Police Gather for Slain NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller’s Funeral in New York pic.twitter.com/PoVU2wKnlf
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) March 30, 2024
“Rivera, who wasn’t in court and remains hospitalized with a gunshot wound, was indicted on charges of first- and second-degree murder, attempted murder and felony gun possession,” the New York Post reported.
“Jones, 41, who goes by the street nickname ‘Killa,’ has at least 14 arrests on his rap sheet, including for robbery, assault and attempted murder in a 2001 case in which he was accused of shooting a man three times,” the newspaper added. “He faces up to 30 years in state prison for his alleged role in Diller’s senseless death.”
Diller was a three-year veteran of the force. The 31-year-old leaves behind a wife and one-year-old son.
“The Diller family will never be the same – you can never be the same, and we have to stop it. We have to get back to law and order,” said former President Donald Trump who attended the fallen cop’s wake last week.
Trump pays his respects at slain NYPD officer’s wake while Biden yuks it up with Obama and Clinton https://t.co/XhOKVcpvYA via @BIZPACReview
— BPR based (@DumpstrFireNews) March 29, 2024
“We live in a society where shooting a police officer needs to be held accountable,” DA Katz said outside the courthouse. “This is a man who died simply for doing his job. He was a father, he was a son, he was a brother. He went out to do his job one day and never came home.”
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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