Even though a Brooklyn jury found former cop Peter Liang guilty of 2nd degree manslaughter in the killing death of Akai Gurley, a judge has sided with the recommendation of Brooklyn DA Kenneth Thompson that the former cop should get no jail time at all. Akai Gurley was shot when Liang and his partner was canvassing a stairwell in a Brooklyn housing project when Liang had his weapon drawn and fired a single shot from his service weapon that ricochet off a wall thus killing Gurley.
Today, Judge Danny Chun reduced the manslaughter conviction to criminally negligent homicide and giving the disgraced former cop 5 years of probation and 800 of community service. To add insult to injury, the DA’s office stated that they will appeal the judge’s decision.
Former Manhattan prosecutor turned defense attorney Ikiesha Al-Shabazz predicted that Liang would serve no time as she has seen similar outcomes before. She stated to HHE exclusively: “I am not surprised. I warned people to manage their expectations. High expectations lead to higher disappointments. Unfortunately we have seen this all too often and the message is clear, Black Lives Do Not Matter!!! Lest we forget, this system is sure to remind us every time.” When asked about why the judge changed the jury’s verdict, Attorney Ikiesha Al-Shabazz stated the following:
“Manslaughter in the 2nd degree is a C felony. Criminal negligent homicide is an E felony. Manslaughter in the 2nd degree has the element of recklessness while criminal negligent homicide has the element of negligence. I have no idea how or why a judge would usurp the role of the jury but supplanting his verdict for theirs.”
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