Jury Weighs Fate of NY Officer Charged in Stairwell Shooting

NEW YORK (AP) —
Police Officer Peter Liang, center, enters the courtroom after the lunch break in his trial on charges in the shooting death of Akai Gurley, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, at Brooklyn Supreme court in New York.  Jurors are scheduled to start discussing their views of Liang’s actions as soon as Tuesday. Closing arguments are expected in the morning, and deliberations are likely to begin in the afternoon. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Police Officer Peter Liang, center, enters the courtroom after the lunch break in his trial on charges in the shooting death of Akai Gurley, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, at Brooklyn Supreme court in New York. Jurors are scheduled to start discussing their views of Liang’s actions as soon as Tuesday. Closing arguments are expected in the morning, and deliberations are likely to begin in the afternoon. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Jurors are weighing the fate of a rookie New York City police officer who fatally shot an innocent man in a dark public housing stairwell.

Deliberations resumed Wednesday at the manslaughter trial of New York Police Department Officer Peter Liang (lee-ANG). Jurors requested testimony of Liang and other witnesses.

The judge denied a mistrial request made by defense attorneys.

Liang says he accidentally fired when he was startled by a noise while patrolling the stairwell in 2014. The prosecution says he acted out of recklessness and did little to help the dying victim, Akai (ah-KEYE) Gurley.

The 28-year-old Gurley was taking the stairs rather than wait for an elevator.

Liang faces up to 15 years in prison if he’s convicted of manslaughter and other charges.

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