Prosecutors and defence attorneys delivered their closing arguments on Tuesday in the trial of a man accused of fatally shooting a New York City police officer in 2024. The defendant, Guy Rivera, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Officer Jonathan Diller during a traffic stop in Queens.
Prosecutor John Kosinski told the court that video evidence and testimony showed Rivera intentionally drew a concealed handgun and shot Diller on 25 March 2024. Kosinski highlighted that despite being wounded, Diller holstered his own weapon and helped disarm Rivera to prevent further harm. 'Diller chose life. The defendant chose differently,' Kosinski said, displaying the bullet removed from Diller's body.
However, Rivera’s lawyer, Jamal Johnson, argued that the prosecution had not proven the shooting was intentional, a key requirement for a first-degree murder conviction. He suggested the gun discharged accidentally during a struggle with another officer. Johnson urged jurors to 'question everything' in the police narrative, claiming officers had a 'motive to lie' and that their testimony contradicted body camera footage.
Kosinski rejected the defence's claims, stating the evidence showed Rivera had loaded the weapon, chambered a round and switched off the safety before hiding it. 'He pulled the trigger. It was in his hands. That’s what happened here,' he said. Rivera, 36, also faces charges including attempted murder and could receive life without parole if convicted.
The jury is expected to begin deliberations on Wednesday after a three-week trial. The shooting occurred in Far Rockaway, Queens, when officers spotted a suspicious bulge in Rivera’s hoodie. Rivera allegedly shot Diller below his bulletproof vest before being wounded himself by another officer. Diller, 31, was promoted to detective posthumously.
