The man accused of killing a New York police officer has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges.
Guy Rivera, 32, entered a plea during his arraignment on Tuesday. He is accused of fatally shooting 31-year-old NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller during a routine traffic stop on March 25 in Far Rockaway, Queens. He was also charged with the attempted murder of his partner, Sergeant Sasha Rosen.
“Det. Jonathan Diller’s alleged shooter was arraigned on an indictment we secured for first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder for trying to shoot a sergeant,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement.
“A civilized society has to have respect for the work of law enforcement. We will continue to seek justice,” she added.
The defendant, now medically cleared, attended the court hearing after he was hospitalized from a gunshot wound he suffered in the incident. He was handcuffed when he arrived in court and wore a brace around one of his wrists.
The courtroom was packed with NYPD officers who showed solidarity for law enforcement and support for the officer’s family. Officer Diller’s widow, Stephanie, also attended the arraignment.
Mr. Rivera is accused of opening fire on Officer Diller and his partner after they approached his vehicle for parking illegally in front of a bus stop.
According to authorities, the defendant was a passenger in that car. Instead of following orders to roll the car windows down, Mr. Rivera shot Officer Diller in the stomach below his bulletproof vest. He also allegedly took aim at Sgt. Sasha Rosen as they struggled for control over the gun.
Officer Diller was transported to the hospital and later died.
During Tuesday’s arraignment, prosecutors told Judge Michael Aloise that they would be seeking a sentence under the state’s guidelines for those considered persistent felony offenders because the defendant has a lengthy criminal history.
Mr. Rivera has 21 prior arrests on his record. He served five years in a New York prison for criminal possession of a controlled substance and was released in 2021. He also served prison time for first-degree assault in 2011 and was released in 2014, according to state records.
Prosecutors also requested that legal aid lawyers for the defense be removed due to a conflict of interest involving possible witnesses in the case. Those witnesses were represented by the same legal counsel in other cases, they argued.
The suspect on the driver’s side of the vehicle during the incident was also charged in the case. Lindy Jones, 41, also has a long rap sheet that includes 14 prior arrests. He previously spent seven years in prison for robbery. He also served time after being convicted of attempted murder in 2002. Just last year, he was arrested on a gun charge but was out on $75,000 bail. Mr. Jones has been charged with criminal possession of a loaded firearm and possession of a defaced weapon. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
Law enforcement officers across the state attended services to honor the life of Officer Diller. Former president Donald Trump was invited and attended the slain officer’s wake in Long Island. The high-profile case garnered national attention and reignited the debate over soft-on-crime policies in the country.
“There are issues throughout our country with criminals not facing consequences, elected officials not encouraging criminals to face consequences and the general disregard for life and other people,” one supporter commented on Officer Diller’s online obituary.
Mr. Rivera remains jailed without bail. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole. His next court hearing is scheduled for July 22.
