The killer of NYPD detective Jonathan Diller was found guilty of murder, guilty of murder
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The man accused of shooting and killing NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller during a traffic stop in Queens two years ago has been found not guilty of murder, but guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
Guy Rivera was convicted Wednesday of first-degree aggravated murder, attempted first-degree murder for attempting to shoot an NYPD sergeant who also arrived at the scene and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He pleaded guilty to first degree murder.
Earlier on Wednesday, the judge said he had reached a decision but was sent back for further deliberations after another judge told the court that the decision was not unanimous.
The chief told the judge at the time that they reached a not guilty verdict on the murder charge but found Rivera guilty of other charges. But when the court clerk questioned the jurors one by one to make sure they agreed with the verdict, juror No. 5 said they disagreed, according to the New York Post.
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Guy Rivera was found not guilty of murder, but guilty of involuntary manslaughter and others. (Dave Sanders/Pool/The New York Times; NYPD)
“As I told the judges, your decision must be unanimous. Please go back to the middle and deliberate,” said Judge Michael Aloise telling the judge, the newspaper reported.
After a while, a few notes were sent from the judges – one asking how many days they had to deliberate if they couldn’t reach a decision that day and another where one judge said she needed to call to cancel an appointment.
There is no fixed time, keep talking,” said the judge.
Later on Wednesday, the judge came back and agreed on the decision.
Guy Rivera shot and killed NYPD detective Jonathan Diller at a traffic stop in Queens in 2024. (Fox News)
Authorities say Diller and his partner, Sergeant Sasha Rosen, stopped a car that was illegally parked outside a Far Rockaway cellphone store in March 2024. Prosecutors say Rivera then shot and killed Diller after he was ordered to get out of the car.
After shooting Diller, Rivera pointed his gun at Rosen’s chest and pulled the trigger, but the gun jammed, prosecutors said. Diller grabbed the gun and took it out of his hand before he fell to the street from his injuries.
Rivera was also shot twice during the encounter.
Diller was scheduled to be off work on the day of the murder. He was in the park with his wife and young son when he was called.
NYPD’S WIFE JONATHAN DILLER WEEPS AS A SEA OF BLUE FILLS THE COURT AT THE SUSPECTED KILLER’S MURDER FINDING.
Widow Stephanie Diller is seen at the funeral service for New York City Police Department Officer Jonathan Diller at Saint Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church in Massapequa Park, New York, on March 30, 2024. (Fox News Digital Direct Image)
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“Detective Jonathan Diller’s last words to his wife were ‘I love you,'” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement. “Detective Diller was a father, husband and son. He was also a dedicated member of the New York City Police Department who put on his uniform every day to protect our city.”
“This criminal act stole the life of a hard-working officer and family man and endangered the life of a dedicated NYPD sergeant,” the statement added. “We continue to stand in solidarity with the loved ones of Detective Diller, Sergeant Sasha Rosen and all the brave men and women who protect our city.”
