NYPD Officers Fill Queens Courtroom In Display Of Solidarity For Slain Colleague Jonathan Diller As Suspect Is Arraigned
New York City police officers crowded the hallways and pews of a Queens courthouse in a display of solidarity for their fallen NYPD colleague Officer Jonathan Diller.
Lindy Jones, implicated in the shooting death of Diller, was arraigned on Tuesday. Earlier this month, Jones and Guy Rivera were indicted on charges related to the fatal shooting of Officer Diller in Far Rockaway late in March.
Fox News reports that approximately 100 NYPD officers were observed in the hallways and rear benches of the Queens courthouse, anticipating Jones’s arrival.
Jones was flanked by three court officers and his attorney as he entered the courthouse, who informed the presiding judge that his client was “presumed to be innocent.”
Rivera, believed to have fatally shot Diller during a traffic stop, has been formally indicted for first-degree murder. He also faces charges of first-degree attempted murder for allegedly trying to discharge his weapon at an NYPD sergeant present at the scene.
Both Rivera and Jones have been indicted on charges of criminal possession of a weapon following the discovery of a second firearm inside the vehicle they occupied.
Jones, who appeared in court for arraignment on Tuesday, has been formally indicted on two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
Queens Assistant District Attorney Gabriel Reale recited a statement made by Jones during his interrogation by detectives during the court proceedings on Tuesday.
Jones asserted in his statement that he was the driver and claimed that investigators were pressuring him to incriminate Rivera. However, he insinuated that the police possess cameras and suggested that the footage would provide clarity on the situation.
Jones also informed detectives that there was another firearm in the vehicle, which he presumed the police had discovered. “That’s why I’m still here,” Jones declared. “I provided them with my DNA. It won’t match the DNA on that.”
He further informed detectives that he was unaware the situation would escalate the way it did, stating that there was no justification for it.
Jones asserted that his driver’s license was valid, and his vehicle was lawfully registered, emphasizing that there was no justification for officers to conduct a search of his car.
“They pulled up behind my car,” he recounted to detectives. “I entered the liquor store and returned to my car. They alleged I was parked in a bus stop. There are cameras out there. What could I possibly tell them that they aren’t already aware of?”
Regarding Rivera, Jones asserted that the prosecution had no intention of extending a plea offer or attempting to coerce Rivera into implicating Jones.
“They’re pressuring him,” Jones remarked. “There’s nothing he can say other than I had no involvement.”
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz stated during Jones’ indictment that her office had moved to ensure his remand, not solely for the current gun possession charges, but also for prior gun possession charges, aiming to ensure he stands trial due to the perceived risk of flight.
She further disclosed that Jones had admitted in court to “shooting people.”
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