QUEENS, New York (WABC) — Closing arguments are set to begin Tuesday in the murder trial of Guy Rivera, who is accused of fatally shooting an NYPD detective.
Rivera, 36, was indicted on first-degree murder, attempted murder, and criminal possession of a weapon charges in the fatal shooting of 31-year-old detective Jonathan Diller, who was killed in Queens in 2024.
Police say Rivera was in the passenger seat of a car when he pulled a gun and shot Diller through the window. Rivera was shot in the back by Diller’s partner.
Prosecutors said he then “attempted to cause the death of Sgt. Sasha Rosen” by shooting again, but his gun jammed.
His attorney suggested the gun discharged during a chaotic scene.
Rivera has declined to testify in his own defense, and has pleaded not guilty to charges of first and second-degree murder.
Defense attorneys for Rivera are trying to prove to the jury that he did not have any intent to shoot an NYPD officer and that the gun went off by accident during the scuffle.
His lawyer asked the judge to allow the jury to weigh a criminally negligent homicide charge as a lesser offense. Prosecutors have said there was no evidence the shooting was negligent.
Rivera has 21 prior arrests and has served time for assault, robbery, and possession of a controlled substance.
He faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted.
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