NYC Jury Refuses Murder Conviction for Cop-Killer Guy Rivera in Point-Blank Killing of NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller

A New York City jury handed down a split verdict this week in the high-profile trial of Guy Rivera, the 36-year-old career criminal charged in the 2024 shooting death of NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller.

Rivera was acquitted of first-degree murder but convicted of the lesser charge of aggravated manslaughter in the first degree.

The killer was also found guilty of attempted murder in the first degree for trying to shoot a second officer at the scene and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.

WATCH:

BREAKING – A New York City jury has refused to hand a unanimous murder verdict to Guy Rivera in the killing of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller and instead convicted him of a lesser charge of aggravated manslaughter. pic.twitter.com/oHc9ui3uiQ

— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) April 2, 2026

The shooting took place on March 25, 2024, in Far Rockaway, Queens.

Detective Diller, 31, and other officers from a community response team approached an illegally parked vehicle.

Rivera, a passenger in the car, refused commands to exit and opened fire at close range, striking Diller in the torso below his bulletproof vest.

Diller was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

Rivera also pointed his gun at NYPD Sergeant Sasha Rosen and pulled the trigger, but the weapon malfunctioned.

The cold-blooded killer had a lengthy criminal history with more than 21 prior arrests, including charges related to drugs and violence. He has already previously served time in state prison.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz’s office released a statement and press release following the verdict.

It read in part:

“The last words Detective Jonathan Diller told his wife were ‘I love you.’ Detective Diller was a father, a husband and a son. He was also a dedicated member of the New York City Police Department who put on a uniform every day to protect our city. On March 25, 2024, Guy Rivera chose to ignore these facts, chose to ignore multiple lawful commands and chose to shoot Detective Diller. After shooting Detective Diller, he tried to shoot in the chest Sergeant Sasha Rosen. This crime stole the life of a dutiful officer and a family man and endangered the life of a devoted NYPD sergeant. I thank the members of my Homicide Bureau for prosecuting this case. We continue to stand in solidarity with Detective Diller’s loved ones, Sergeant Sasha Rosen and all the brave men and women who protect our city.”

Diller, a married father of a young son, was remembered as a dedicated officer who left behind his wife Stephanie and their child.

His funeral drew thousands of law enforcement officers in a massive procession through the streets of New York.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the not-guilty verdict on the top murder charge as a “gut punch” to the entire department and to Diller’s family in an opinion piece published by the New York Post.

Rivera is scheduled to be sentenced on April 27. He is still facing 90 years to life in prison.

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