NEW YORK (AP) – The Latest on the trial of a New York City police officer charged with fatally shooting a man in a darkened stairwell of a Brooklyn public housing complex (all times local):
7 p.m.
A New York City police officer who shot an unarmed man in a pitch-dark public housing stairway has been convicted of manslaughter.
Jurors delivered their verdict Thursday in Officer Peter Liang’s (lee-ANGZ) trial. It’s been closely watched by advocates for police accountability.
The rookie officer was patrolling the stairwell with his gun drawn in 2014 when he fired. The bullet ricocheted off a wall and hit 28-year-old Akai (ah-KEYE’) Gurley on a lower floor.
Prosecutors said Liang handled his gun recklessly and did almost nothing to help Gurley.
The 28-year-old Liang said he fired by accident after a noise startled him. He acknowledged not helping Gurley’s girlfriend try to revive him, but Liang explained he thought it was wiser to wait for professional medical aid.
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5 p.m.
Jurors deliberating the fate of a rookie New York City police officer who fatally shot an innocent man in a dark public housing stairwell have asked for white boards and the departmental firearms guide.
The jury made the request Thursday in the second full day of deliberations at the manslaughter trial of Officer Peter Liang (lee-ANG’).
Liang says he accidentally fired the gun after being startled by a noise while patrolling the stairwell in 2014. Prosecutors say he was reckless and did little to help the dying victim, Akai (ah-KEYE’) Gurley.
Gurley was taking the stairs with his girlfriend instead of waiting for an elevator.
Liang faces up to 15 years in prison if he’s convicted of manslaughter and other charges.