KEW GARDENS, Queens (WABC) — A jury found Guy Rivera not guilty on the top murder charge in the fatal shooting of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller in March 2024, but was convicted on four lesser charges on Wednesday.
The 36-year-old was found not guilty of first-degree murder, but was found guilty of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, attempted murder, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon.
The verdict came on the first day of jury deliberations, but it was not without some confusion in the courtroom prior to the ultimate verdict.
The jury initially told the judge in a note Wednesday afternoon that they had reached a verdict. However, when the verdict was read, one juror answered “no” when polled, so the judge sent them back to deliberate.
After more deliberations, the jury arrived at their verdict Wednesday evening around 7 p.m.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said she’s “deeply disappointed” that Rivera was not convicted of the top murder charged, but is “grateful” he was convicted on the other counts.
Judge Michael Alois allowed the jury to consider a conviction of aggravated manslaughter in the first degree.
Unlike the first-degree murder charge, the manslaughter count requires intent to cause someone serious injury that then results in death.
Rivera had been charged with the first degree murder of Diller, the attempted first-degree murder of his partner Sgt. Sasha Rosen, as well as two weapons counts.
Only an hour into deliberations, they jury sent out their first note asking to see the 18-minute prosecution compilation video of side by side the surveillance video and the various body worn camera videos synced up to play out in real time.
Right after lunch, a second note came asking for clarification the five elements to consider in deliberating on those top three counts and if they were specific to the victim.
The first-degree murder carried a potential prison sentence of life without parole, however, the the guilty verdict on the other four counts could still rack up a max life sentence of 90 years to life in prison.
Rivera had pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Police say Rivera was in the passenger seat of a car when he pulled a gun and shot Diller through the window.
———-
* More Queens news
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
