An Indictment Expected in the Akai Gurley Shooting
Eugene O'Donnell, professor of law and police science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, a former police officer and former prosecutor, talks about the reports that a Brooklyn grand jury has indicted an NYPD officer in the shooting of Akai Gurley in a stairwell. While the District Attorney has yet to make a formal announcement, many news outlets are reporting that Officer Peter Liang was indicted on several charges including second-degree manslaughter.
O'Donnell says the Gurley shooting is very different from the Ferguson and Staten Island incidents that did not result in indictments. He says he's not surprised at the decision to indict in this case because "a life was lost that shouldn't have been lost."
On Akai Gurley: this is the first indictment in 2+ years involving a fatal encounter between civilian and officer in NYC, says @nytimes.
— Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) February 11, 2015
"This case is going to be very fact-specific. This isn't about fear." -Eugene O'Donnell @JohnJayCollege on Akai Gurley shooting indictment
— Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) February 11, 2015
"The fact is in the NYC police dept events like this are the rarest of rare events." O'Donnell says NYPD does not have deadly force problem.
— Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) February 11, 2015
"The power of mentoring in policing is remarkable." Eugene O'Donnell of @johnjaycollege says NYPD lacks in strong leadership.
— Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) February 11, 2015
