Closing Arguments in Officer Diller Murder Trial

Prosecutors and defense attorneys delivered closing arguments on Tuesday in the trial of Guy Rivera, a 36-year-old man accused of intentionally shooting and killing New York City police Officer Jonathan Diller during a traffic stop in Queens last year.

The incident occurred on March 25, 2024, in the Far Rockaway neighborhood, where Diller and other officers approached a parked car blocking a bus stop. Authorities said one officer noticed a suspicious bulge in Rivera's hoodie as he and another man entered the vehicle. Rivera sat in the passenger seat while police questioned the driver. According to prosecutors, Rivera then pulled a concealed handgun from his pocket and fired at Diller, striking him below his bulletproof vest and causing a fatal wound. Another officer returned fire, shooting Rivera in the back and wounding him. Prosecutors also alleged Rivera attempted to shoot a second officer, Sgt. Sasha Rosen, but the gun jammed.

In his closing statement, prosecutor John Kosinski emphasized video evidence and officer testimony showing Rivera's actions were deliberate. "Video evidence and testimony from officers showed that defendant Guy Rivera pulled out a concealed handgun and...