Ex-NYPD sergeant says jury ‘absolutely missed the mark’ after cop killer dodges murder charge A former NYPD sergeant criticized a jury’s decision to acquit Guy Rivera of first-degree murder in the killing of Detective Jonathan Diller, stating the jury “absolutely missed the mark” given the evidence of intent. Rivera was convicted of aggravated manslaughter and attempted murder but acquitted of the top murder charge, a verdict described as inconsistent by a legal analyst. The former sergeant believes this outcome reflects broader issues within the criminal justice system that endanger law enforcement officers.

• Former NYPD sergeant Joseph Imperatrice believes a jury “missed the mark” by acquitting Guy Rivera of first-degree murder in the killing of Detective Jonathan Diller.
• Rivera was convicted of aggravated manslaughter and attempted murder but acquitted of the first-degree murder charge.
• A legal analyst found the verdict inconsistent, particularly the acquittal on the murder charge while convicting on attempted murder of another officer.
• Imperatrice stated that intentionally pulling a trigger on an identifiable officer demonstrates clear intent, and the jury’s decision fails to acknowledge the severity of the crime against law enforcement.