Friends and colleagues of a deceased New York City (NYC) police detective reacted with disappointment Wednesday when their pal’s killer was essentially acquitted of murder.
The verdict was based on what happened on March 25, 2024, when 31-year-old NYPD Det. Jonathan Diller was called in to work on his day off “to address violence and robbery concerns at the Mott Avenue train station in Far Rockaway,” according to CBS News.
Diller was reportedly with several other NYPD officers when they spotted suspect Guy Rivera “with what appeared to be a gun in his hoodie pocket.”
“Rivera allegedly got into a car with another man, Lindy Jones, and ignored officers’ commands before allegedly shooting Diller after being pulled out of the car,” CBS News notes. “Diller was struck in the torso, just below his bullet-resistant vest. He was rushed to the hospital, where he died from his injuries.”
NYPD officer Jonathan Diller, a Catholic, was gunned down in Queens by a suspect who, according to the Daily Mail, has 21 prior arrests. He leaves behind his wife and a one-year-old son. A funeral Mass for his departed soul will be celebrated on March 30 at St. Rose of Lima R.C.… pic.twitter.com/lhaXFrQIDj
— Sachin Jose (@Sachinettiyil) March 27, 2024
After shooting Diller, Rivera then reportedly pointed his gun at NYPD Sgt. Sasha Rosen, but his gun jammed.
In Wednesday’s verdict, a NYC jury convicted Rivera of just manslaughter as per Diller’s death and of attempted murder in the first degree as per his attempt to shoot Rosen.
According to the New York Post, Rivera’s attorney tried to argue that his client hadn’t intended to shoot Diller and that his gun had accidentally gone off when Rosen grabbed his wrist.
“Johnson suggested surveillance camera footage showed his client didn’t have eyes on the cop when he was shot,” the Post notes. “He said Diller’s partner, Sgt. Sasha Rosen, allegedly reached into the vehicle before the gun fired to grab Rivera’s firearm — and argued that the ensuing struggle caused the gun to accidentally discharge.”
Worse, Johnson tried to blame Diller’s death on the other cops who were present during the shooting.
“All of the [Command Response Team] officers in this case, they are invested,” he told the jury. “They have a motive to lie. ‘You see, this is what happens when you’re stopping people and you’re doing it in a dishonest way, and we’re going to speak the truth here today. This is how detailed we have to be in our fight for justice.”
JUST IN: Over 1000 NYPD officers gather to honor NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller who was killed by career criminal Guy Rivera.
RIP.
Diller was shot in the stomach in Queens and could be seen on surveillance footage dragging himself behind a car, screaming out in pain.
The… pic.twitter.com/Pvw8SdzySQ
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 27, 2024
Prosecutor John Kosinski fought back hard.
“What did we hear for two hours this morning? ‘Police liars.’ ‘Government misleading,'” he told the jury. “We didn’t hear about one thing: This man’s actions on that day. That’s why we’re here. This isn’t about the New York City Police Department. It’s about this defendant’s actions on that day.”
After the verdict was read on Wednesday, multiple people cried foul, including Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and New York City Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry.
“This shooting wasn’t accidental, and it wasn’t impulsive,” Katz said. “Guy Rivera was not only armed with an illegal firearm, he was ready and willing to use it.”
“Every decision he made, he put New Yorkers and police officers in jeopardy by carrying a loaded firearm onto the streets,” Hendry added. “And when our police officers approached him, he could have surrendered. He could have surrendered for that illegal firearm, but no.”
Hendry also noted that Diller’s family was devastated, saying, “I left the family that has had to deal with this nightmare for the last 2 years, and today they got the news, they are still devastated.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch also expressed disappointment, though she was glad that at least Rivera was convicted of something.
“While I am deeply disappointed that Jonathan’s killer was not convicted of the top murder charge, I am grateful that he has been convicted on all other counts,” she said.
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
V. Saxena is a staff writer with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University. Saxena also contributes to BizPac Review.
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