Queens courtroom is filled with over 100 NYPD officers gathering in solidarity ... trends now
It was an emotional scene in a Queens courtroom Tuesday as over 100 police officers showed up in solidarity for slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller as a suspect in his killing was arraigned.
Diller was a 31-year-old New York Police Department officer who was allegedly shot and killed by suspect Guy Rivera, 34, in late March.
His memorial became a scene for politicians of various stripes - former President Donald Trump was greeted warmly at his wake, while mourners applauded as New York's Democrat Governor Kathy Hochul was asked to leave.
On Tuesday, Lindy Jones, 41, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, was allegedly sitting in the driver's seat when Guy Rivera killed Diller.
Jones, who once told cops 'My name is Lindy Jones Jr. and I shoot people' - pleaded not guilty as Diller's fellow officers looked on in the courtroom.
It was an emotional scene in a Queens courtroom Tuesday as over 100 police officers showed up in solidarity for slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller as a suspect in his killing was arraigned
Diller was a 31-year-old New York Police Department officer who was allegedly shot and killed by suspect Guy Rivera, 34, in late March
On Tuesday, Lindy Jones, 41, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, was allegedly sitting in the driver's seat when Guy Rivera killed Diller
He had 14 prior arrests, including a conviction for attempted murder and robbery in 2003 that saw him serve 10 years behind bars.
Jones had been arrested on gun charges last April but was released on a $75,000 bail that was set to bring him back to court Monday.
Following Jones' April arrest, where he was caught with a loaded firearm, Mayor Eric Adams said that he was a prime example of a 'recidivist problem' - meaning a small number of perpetrators committing a large number of crimes.
'Same bad people doing bad things to good people,' Adams added.
He was charged with robbery, assault and attempted murder in 2001 for allegedly shooting a man three times, according to the New York Post.
Jones - who is rumored to go by the nickname 'Killa' - reportedly told police he did not know Rivera
Rivera was already indicted on charges of murder in the first and second degrees, attempted murder in the first and second degrees, four counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree for the homicide.
'There is no higher priority for my office than taking illegal guns off our streets to prevent the devastation they cause, whether it is the shooting of a child playing in a school yard or an NYPD officer doing his job to keep us safe,' Queens DA Melinda Katz said in a statement.
Police also showed up in big numbers when Jones was brought into criminal court on March 27
Jones, who once told cops 'My name is Lindy Jones Jr. and I shoot people' - pleaded not guilty as Diller's fellow officers looked on in the courtroom
Suspect Guy Rivera was shot at the scene by Officer Diller's colleague and taken hospital, had 21 prior arrests and previously served five years in prison on drug charges before being paroled in 2021
'We remain steadfast in our commitment to achieve that goal and to seek justice for Detective Diller and his loved ones.'
Rivera's next court appearance is scheduled for May 7,
