Trial Continues For Suspects Charged In Death Of NYPD Officer Peter Figoski
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Surveillance video, a gun and graphic photos of a crime scene took center stage Monday during the trial of two men charged in the death of a New York City police officer.
Lamont Pride and Michael Velez are charged in the murder of NYPD Officer Peter Figoski.
Both have pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors said Pride ambushed Figoski and shot him point-blank in the head on Dec. 12, 2011 while the officer and his partner were responding to a burglary call in Brooklyn.
Trial Continues For Suspects Charged In Death Of NYPD Cop
In court on Monday, jurors were shown crime scene photos of the basement where Figoski was shot and killed. They were also shown the alleged murder weapon, a 9mm Ruger pistol. Prosecutors said the gun was found underneath a vehicle near the scene.
According to the court papers, Pride told officers that the gun went off accidentally and he wasn't intending to fire.
"Mr. Pride did not intentionally kill a police officer," defense attorney Christopher Wright said.
Jurors also saw surveillance video showing two men running from the scene with Figoski's partner chasing after them.
Trial Continues For Suspects Charged In Death Of NYPD Cop
Police said Velez drove to the apartment and waited outside during the robbery.
A third suspect, identified as Ariel Tejada, is expected to testify against the defendants in exchange for reduced jail time. Two other suspects in the case have pleaded not guilty. They have yet to stand trial.
