NEW YORK (AP) – The Latest on the sentencing of a New York Police Department officer in the stairwell shooting death of an unarmed man (all times local):
2:50 p.m.
Dozens of demonstrators have gathered outside a New York City courthouse in anticipation of a former police officer’s sentencing in the deadly shooting of an unarmed man in a darkened stairwell.
Ex-officer Peter Liang is set to be sentenced Tuesday. He was convicted of manslaughter in the 2014 death of Akai (ah-KEYE’) Gurley.
Demonstrators representing each side were separated on Tuesday by police barriers and surrounded by court officers.
Supporters of Akai Gurley’s family are demanding prison time for Liang. The officer’s supporters say the shooting was an accident.
The 28-year-old rookie officer was patrolling the inside of a public housing complex when he opened the stairwell door and fired once. The bullet ricocheted and hit Gurley.
Some Liang supporters are carrying signs reading, “One tragedy, two victims.”
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12:10 a.m.
A former New York City police officer will find out if he’s going to prison following his manslaughter conviction in the accidental shooting death of an unarmed man in a darkened stairwell.
Peter Liang was fired from the police force shortly after the February jury verdict in the death of Akai Gurley. The 28-year-old rookie was patrolling the inside of a public housing project when he opened the stairwell door and fired once. Gurley, also 28, was walking down to the lobby and was struck by the bullet that had ricocheted.
Brooklyn District Attorney Kenneth Thompson has recommended probation and home confinement but not prison time, angering some members of Gurley’s family.
Judge Danny Chun could still sentence Liang to prison. A manslaughter conviction carries up to 15 years behind bars.