A Queens jury delivered a split verdict yesterday, April 1, 2026, in the trial of Guy Rivera, the man accused of killing NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller during a 2024 traffic stop. While Rivera was acquitted of the top charge of first-degree murder, he was found guilty of aggravated manslaughter in the first degree, along with the attempted murder of Diller’s partner, Sergeant Sasha Rosen.
The verdict follows an emotional three-week trial that revisited the March 25, 2024, incident in Far Rockaway. Prosecutors argued that Rivera intentionally fired at Diller as the detective approached his vehicle, striking him just below his bulletproof vest. The defense, however, maintained that the weapon discharged accidentally during a struggle, arguing that Rivera lacked the specific intent required for a murder conviction. The jury’s decision to convict on aggravated manslaughter—which requires intent to cause serious physical injury rather than death—suggests they were not unanimously convinced of the higher intent threshold.
The reaction from the law enforcement community was immediate and sharp. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and PBA President Patrick Hendry expressed deep disappointment in the jury’s failure to convict on the murder charge, with Hendry stating that the decision was a blow to every officer who puts on a uniform. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, while also expressing frustration with the acquittal on the top count, noted that the overall conviction on multiple felonies ensures Rivera will face a significant prison sentence.
In addition to the manslaughter charge, Rivera was convicted of attempted murder for pointing his jammed firearm at Sergeant Rosen and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. Because of his extensive criminal history and the nature of the convictions, Rivera still faces a maximum sentence of 90 years to life in prison.
Judge Michael Aloise has scheduled sentencing for April 27, 2026. At that time, the court will hear victim impact statements, including testimony from Diller’s widow, Stephanie, who has been a constant presence in the courtroom throughout the proceedings. Despite the acquittal on the murder charge, the combined convictions mean it is highly unlikely that Rivera, now 36, will ever be eligible for release.