One Acquitted of Murder in Cop Death

WNYC News | Jul 12, 2010

New York, NY —

One of three men accused of killing NYPD officer Russel Timoshenko and wounding his partner during a traffic stop in Brooklyn has been acquitted of aggravated murder and attempted murder.

Jurors convicted Robert Ellis on three counts of weapons possession. He now faces five to 15 years in prison - far less than the life in prison without parole that he could have received for murder.

Two other men, Dexter Bostic and Lee Woods, are still awaiting verdicts in the case which was tried by three separate juries because the men made statements implicating each other.

Prosecutors said the three acted as a team to shoot the officers because they were caught with a stolen SUV and with illegal weapons in the vehicle. They said Bostic shot and killed Officer Timoshenko while Ellis simultaneously shot now-Detective Herman Yan, while Woods was the driver.

WNYC is funded by sponsors and member donations

Top Stories

The World Cup, the Knicks, and LeBron James’s Fate: An All-Time Summer in Sports

The staff writer Louisa Thomas on the U.S. men’s national soccer team, the N.B.A. off-season, and Serena Williams.
The New Yorker Radio Hour |

The near-collapsed Midtown building is now stable, but its finances may not be

Experts say the structural failure at the Pfizer Building could cause financial problems and a lingering stigma — but that the city’s housing shortage means renters will probably move in anyway.
Gothamist |

NYC DSA on Their Big Wins, and the Future

NYC-DSA co-chairs Grace Mausser and Gustavo Gordillo talk about the DSA's recent big wins.
The Brian Lehrer Show |

Get Lit: Laila Lalami's 'The Dream Hotel,' and Imal Gnawa Performs

All Of It with Alison Stewart |
YOU ARE ONLINE