Former NYPD officer Peter Liang won’t do jail time in the fatal shooting of unarmed Akai Gurley. Today (April 19), a New York judge sentenced Liang to five years’ probation and community service after he was found guilty of Gurley’s death.
Judge Danny Chun of the Brooklyn State Supreme Court, ruled that Liang had no intent to kill Gurley, when he entered the Brooklyn housing project in November of 2014. “There is no evidence, circumstantially or otherwise, that the defendant was aware of Akai Gurley’s presence,” sad Chun.
28-year-old Liang apologized to Gurley’s family in court, maintaining that the fatal shooting was “accidental.” He was facing up to 15 years for manslaughter, but the conviction was reduced to criminally negligent homicide at sentencing, reports the New York Daily News.
The Brooklyn D.A. recommended Liang serve six months of house arrest but no jail time, which upset Gurley’s family. “Because the incarceration of the defendant is not necessary to protect the public, and because of the unique circumstances of this case, the People do not believe that a prison sentence is warranted,” D.A. Kenneth Thompson wrote in a letter to the judge last month.
However, Thompson didn’t want Liang’s conviction reduced, and plans to appeal. He suggested that Liang receive 500 hours of community service on top of house arrest. The judge gave him 800 hours instead, a decision he said was “more productive” than Liang “staying home for six months.”
Gurley was 28 years old when he was killed by Liang, a then rookie. “Akai’s life doesn’t matter,” his aunt Hertencia Peterson said after storming out of the courtroom. “There’s not justice. Black lives don’t matter. Justice will be served one way or another.”
Around 100 people reportedly gathered outside the courthouse to protest the ruling. “We are sick and tired of police officers not being held accountable for the killing of civilians,” said one man.
About 60 Ling supporters were outside the court as well.
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Photo: screencap
