Judge Expected to Announce Verdict in Murder Trial for NYPD Sergeant

A verdict in the murder trial of a New York police sergeant is expected Thursday morning. Sgt. Hugh Barry shot and killed 66-year-old Deborah Danner, an African American schizophrenic woman, in 2016.

Prosecutors argued that Barry was not justified in using lethal force and failed to gather enough information about Danner before confronting her. Prosecutor Wanda Perez-Maldonado said in closing arguments that Barry had testified he was physically closer to Deborah Danner than he actually had been, so he could claim she was an imminent threat. She said testimony from a fellow officer and a medical examiner contradicted his claim.

"We ask for justice for Deborah Danner," Perez-Maldonado said. "We ask for justice for the community, we ask for justice for Hugh Barry. We ask that you find the defendant guilty."

In his testimony, Barry said he fired his weapon when he feared for his life, because Danner was holding a baseball bat. During closing arguments, defense attorney Andrew Quinn said if his client had gambled and not shot Deborah Danner, he could've ended up at his own funeral.

Police knew Danner and had interacted with her several times in the past. 

Barry is an eight-year veteran of the NYPD and is facing a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

Barry is also facing charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.