The New York City policeman accused of shooting and killing an unarmed African immigrant has been granted his request to to have his retrial heard by a judge without a jury.

REPORTER: Officer Bryan Conroy's lawyer, Stuart London, says a judge would be better able to maintain a dispassionate view of the facts then a jury.

LONDON: It is hard to control outside influences seeping into the jury room. I think jurors come into that position trying to be fair and doing the best they can, but I think in a highly charged case such as this it's difficult for them.

REPORTER: Conroy claims he fired in self defense. Jurors in his first trial were deadlocked, causing a mistrial.