East New York

Trial set for NYPD officer charged in Brooklyn stairwell shooting

September 30, 2015 Associated Press
New York City rookie police officer Peter Liang, right, leaves the courtroom after his arraignment at Brooklyn Superior Court on Feb. 11. Liang, who fired into a darkened stairwell last November at a Brooklyn public housing complex, killing 28-year-old Akai Gurley, will go on trial in January. AP Photo/Mary Altaffer
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An NYPD officer charged with fatally shooting an unarmed man in an East New York housing complex will go on trial in January.

Officer Peter Liang appeared Tuesday in Brooklyn’s State Supreme Court. Justice Danny Chun told the rookie officer his trial will begin Jan. 7.

Liang faces manslaughter and other charges in connection with the death of 28-year-old Akai Gurley.

Gurley was with his girlfriend at the Louis Pink Houses last November when Liang fired into a darkened stairwell. Gurley was hit once and died at the scene.

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Prosecutors say Liang shouldn’t have had his finger on the trigger of his gun. They also say Liang didn’t call an ambulance after Gurley was shot.

Liang has pleaded not guilty. His attorney says the shooting was accidental.

 


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