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Defense Lawyer Claims Accidental Shooting in Rivera Case

4/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

Defense attorney Jamal Johnson argued New York Police Department (NYPD) Officer Jonathan Diller's fellow officers had motive to lie about the Rivera shooting.
He claimed evidence did not show Rivera intended to kill Diller.
Johnson cited video of Rivera's struggle and said the discharge was accidental.
He requested a conviction for criminal possession of a weapon rather than first-degree murder, noting that one officer's testimony contradicted earlier grand jury statements.

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Story summary

Defense attorney Jamal Johnson argued New York Police Department (NYPD) Officer Jonathan Diller's fellow officers had motive to lie about the Rivera shooting.
He claimed evidence did not show Rivera intended to kill Diller.
Johnson cited video of Rivera's struggle and said the discharge was accidental.
He requested a conviction for criminal possession of a weapon rather than first-degree murder, noting that one officer's testimony contradicted earlier grand jury statements.