Guy Rivera sentenced to 115 years to life behind bars in death of NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller
Guy Rivera was found guilty of 1st-degree aggravated manslaughter, attempted murder
KEW GARDENS, Queens (WABC) -- The man convicted of killing a New York City police detective was sentenced to 115 years to life behind bars on Monday.
Turnout was so large that the sentencing had to be moved to the largest courtroom in Kew Gardens, Queens.
Guy Rivera faced a judge and learned his fate after he was found guilty on multiple charges in the fatal shooting of NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller.
While he was acquitted of the top murder charge, Rivera was still sentenced to more than 100 years behind bars.
The judge heard victim impact statements from Detective Diller's widow, mother, and stepmother.
"Every moment brings me back to that day, my life changed forever," said widow Stephanie Diller. "The person who lost the most is our son, Ryan. He will grow up without his father. He will grow up without the protection, the guidance, and the love that Jonathan would have given him every single day."
His mother said that there is an emptiness inside of her.
"For 31 years, I had the privilege and honor of being Jonathan's mother, before my youngest child was so cruelly taken from me," Fran Diller said.
Prosecutors read a statement from Diller's partner.
Rivera declined to testify at his own trial. The jury delivered a mixed verdict, not convicting him of murder but finding him guilty of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, attempted murder, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon.
Throughout the three-week trial, prosecutors said Rivera pulled out a concealed handgun and intentionally shot Diller during a routine police stop in Queens, choosing to ignore lawful commands.
Rivera's attorneys argued he did not target Diller and that the shooting was not intentional, a key factor prosecutors needed to prove to secure a first-degree murder conviction.
As for the second suspect in the case, Lindy Jones, his trial is still pending.
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