Brooklyn, NY – The president of the union representing New York City police officers says a jury came to the “absolutely wrong decision” when they convicted an officer of manslaughter in the shooting death of a man in a darkened stairwell of a public housing building.
Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch says the Thursday evening verdict in Peter Liang’s trial was a “bad verdict” that will have a “chilling effect” on officers nationwide. He says 28-year-old Akai Gurley’s death was a tragedy, not a crime.
The rookie officer was patrolling the stairwell with his gun drawn in 2014 when he fired and struck Gurley. Prosecutors said Liang’s actions were reckless.
Liang was also convicted of official misconduct.
He declined to comment as he left the courthouse after the verdict.
As reported by Vos Iz Neias