The officer involved in the shooting death of unarmed, Black Akai Gurley is arraigned on Wednesday on several charges pleading not guilty.
A Brooklyn grand jury decided that NYPD Officer Peter Liang will face charges including manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide for the November 2014 fatal shooting of Gruley which occurred in the Pink Houses in East New York. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson announced the charges at a press conference in Brooklyn. Liang was arraigned earlier before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun and released without bail.
“As a result of the investigation a grand jury has returned a six-count indictment charging New York City Police Department Officer Peter Liang with one count of second-degree manslaughter, one count of criminally negligent homicide, one count of second-degree assault, one count of reckless endangerment and two counts of official misconduct,” Thompson said.
Gurley was walking down the steps in the building when Liang shot the 28-year-old father. Liang and the NYPD claim that the shooting was an accident when Liang attempted to open a stairwell door while holding his gun when it fired accidentally shooting Gurley in his chest.
The city medical examiner ruled Gurley’s death a homicide. Many are blaming the NYCHA building’s poorly lit stairwell as a factor in the shooting.
Gurley’s family met with Thompson about the shooting in January. His domestic partner, Kim Ballinger, said at the she time she was hopeful for an indictment.
“We have faith in Ken Thompson,” she said.
Kirsten Foy, Northeast Regional Director of the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network (NAN), said there are differences in the Gurley case than in the Eric Garner in Staten Island where the officer involved was not indicted. Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan was highly criticized for the lack of indictment in that case.
“Unlike the case in Staten Island, this case shows the difference in a prosecutor who will respect the grand jury’s role to decide probable cause, rather than attempt to influence it,” said Foy “We will monitor this to make sure there is a fair process.”
President of Mallory Consulting and member of Justice League NYC, Tamika Mallory, said Liang’s idictment is only a first step towards justice.
“DA Thompson’s ability to secure this ruling is proof that when evidence is presented fairly and impartially, the justice system can work,” she said. “We hope the courts take this case very seriously and bring justice and solace to the Gurley family in the form of a conviction.”
In a statement Mayor Bill de Blasio said no matter what the charges are, the death is a tragedy for the Gurley family.
“We urge everyone to respect the judicial process as it unfolds,” he said.