(Click image to watch this episode of NY1's The Call.)
Hundreds of New Yorkers gathered outside City Hall today for a rally demanding change at the NYPD. A few City Council lawmakers joined the call to improve "accountability and transparency" under Mayor de Blasio and Police Commissioner Bratton's leadership. Protesters want the Council to pass the "Right to Know Act" to further "protect New Yorkers against unconstitutional searches."
The rally came days after a judge spared former Officer Peter Liang prison time in the shooting death of Akai Gurley. Liang's gun accidentally went off in a dark stairwell at the Pink Houses in Brooklyn and the bullet struck Gurley one floor below. Liang faced up to 15 years after a jury convicted him of second-degree manslaughter. But Judge Danny Chun reduced the conviction to criminally negligent homicide and sentenced Liang to five years of probation and 800 hours of community service.
What's your reaction to Peter Liang avoiding prison time in the shooting death of Akai Gurley? Do you agree with the judge's decision to toss out the second-degree manslaughter conviction after a jury had spoken? Is five years of probation an acceptable punishment for taking an innocent life? Would you make any changes to the NYPD to increase accountability and transparency?