QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) -- Members of slain NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller's given and chose family huddled together inside a Queens courtroom on Tuesday to face his accused killer.
The defendant, 34-year-old Guy Rivera, displayed no emotion as he was escorted into the courtroom.
Detective Diller was conducting a routine traffic stop on March 25th in Far Rockaway, Queens when he walked up to vehicle.
Prosecutors say instead of stepping out of the passenger’s seat, Rivera instead allegedly drew a gun and fatally shot Detective Diller.
He leaves behind a grieving wife, and a 1-year-old son.
In court, Rivera plead not guilty to charges of first degree murder and first-degree attempted murder for allegedly trying to kill a responding sergeant at the scene.
He was released from prison and paroled some two years ago, but if convicted in this new case, will face life in prison without parole.
"I feel a certain sense of duty and obligation to the family but also to the City of New York," said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. "The City of New York needs to know and understand that those that go after law enforcement, or those that commit these types of crimes will be held accountable."
PBA president Patrick Hendry spoke after the arraignment and was joined by Detective Diller's widow, several other relatives, and a few dozen fellow NYPD officers. "We hope that this vicious violent cop killer took a good lock at the crowd in the courtroom because he is going to see us every time. He shouldn't have been back on the streets and he was emboldened to carry an illegal firearm. This family is going through a living nightmare that no family should have to go through."
Lindy Jones, the driver of the vehicle, has already plead not guilty. Rivera is due back in court on July 22.
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