Jury reaches split verdict in trial of man accused of killing NYPD Det. Jonathan Diller in 2024

A New York City jury found the man accused of killing a police detective during a traffic stop in Queens not guilty of murder, but guilty of lesser charges in the fatal shooting.

In their verdict Wednesday, jurors ruled that Guy Rivera was guilty of aggravated manslaughter in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon for firing his gun at 31-year-old NYPD Det. Jonathan Diller and killing him after a stop in Far Rockaway in 2024.

Rivera was also found guilty of attempted murder in the first degree for trying to shoot NYPD Sgt. Sasha Rosen, who was with Diller at the time.

Sentencing has been scheduled for April 27. Rivera faces up to 90 years in prison.

The trial

Rivera, 36, pleaded not guilty after prosecutors charged him with first-degree murder of a police officer, attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon.

The trial began on March 10, and closing arguments were given on March 31.

Jurors watched bodycam footage of the encounter and heard testimony from the detective’s widow.

Defense lawyers argued it was an “unintentional discharge” of Rivera’s gun and that no evidence showed he intended to pull the trigger. They said Rosen grabbed Rivera’s wrist and caused the gun to go off. The sergeant denied those allegations in court.

Dozens of police officers attended court hearings leading up to and during the trial to show their support. 

The jury announced they had a verdict on April 1, but when the judge initially asked each individual juror to confirm the verdict, one juror disagreed. The judge informed the jury the verdict must be unanimous, and they were sent back to deliberate.

The jury returned a few hours later and confirmed the same verdict. Deliberations lasted a total of about eight hours.

Victim impact statements will be read at the sentencing hearing.

What happened to Det. Jonathan Diller?

During the trial, prosecutors said on March 25, 2024, Diller was called in on his day off to address violence and robbery concerns at the Mott Avenue train station in Far Rockaway.

Prosecutors say Diller was with other members of the NYPD’s Community Response team when Rivera was spotted with what appeared to be a gun in his hoodie pocket. Rivera allegedly got into a car with another man, Lindy Jones, and ignored officers’ commands before allegedly shooting Diller after being pulled out of the car.

Diller was struck in the torso, just below his bullet-resistant vest. He was rushed to the hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Prosecutors said Rivera pointed the weapon at Rosen after Diller was shot, but the gun jammed.

Rivera was shot twice by police.

Diller was a husband and father who lived on Long Island. He was an officer at the time of the shooting and was posthumously promoted to detective. 

Hundreds of police officers attended his funeral in Massapequa, and President Trump also visited for half an hour to speak with Diller’s wife.

Jones, meanwhile, was arraigned on weapon possession charges in 2024 and was remanded into custody. He is due back in court April 7 and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.