Hugh Barry, a New York City police sergeant, has been found not guilty on all charges in the death of Deborah Danner reports NBC.
The veteran cop with more than eight years of experience was accused of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide of Danner. The 66-year-old was fatally shot in the chest two times in her Bronx apartment in 2016.
He was acquitted of all charges, and a judge ruled that the prosecution didn't meet its burden of proof.
“The prosecution’s evidence has failed to meet (its) burden of proof. The court finds the defendant not guilty,” said Supreme Court Judge Robert Neary.
Barry could have faced 25 plus years in prison if convicted.
Andrew Quinn, Barry's attorney said, "on a personal level he is obviously relieved that he is not looking at a prison sentence." He added that Barry was in an "impossible decision."
After Quinn's statements on the verdict made its way to the internet, people on Twitter didn't hold back their discontentment:
Good Lord!! If he didn't have his gun in his hands, he probably could have caught the bat mid swing! 66 year old woman and you are scared, you don't need to be a cop.
NYPD sergeant acquitted in Deborah Danner's death https://t.co/xBVAh2x3JK— Tmoe (@texast221) February 15, 2018
A white cop was acquitted for killing an elderly Black woman that was emotionally disturbed and that had a bat. However, someone that kills 17 other people wounds dozens more and terrorizes hundreds is taken into custody. You do the math.https://t.co/yT3f0q6xQj
— Salim Adofo (@salimadofo) February 15, 2018
Danner suffered from a mental illness. On October 18, 2016, Barry responded to a 911 call when he found the victim in her apartment holding a pair of scissors. Barry allegedly tried to calm her down when she charged at him with a baseball bat. At the time of the shooting, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio told NBC, "Deborah Danner should be alive right now, period. Something went horribly wrong here." However, Barry's supporters believe he deserves an apology from the mayor and police commissioner, who condemned Barry actions, according to NBC.
As for Danner's family, they plan to continue the fight. Danner’s cousin Wallace Cooke Jr., a former NYPD officer, told the New York Daily News.
"Police departments allow this to happen, to have this going on today is unacceptable,” one of Danner's friends said of the verdict. “It’s not a surprise at all, It’s virtually impossible to convict a police officer. It’s heartbreaking… I’m really sorry that (Deborah) met that untimely, tragic death.”
The family now plans on filing a civil suit.
