New Evidence Heard In NYPD Cop Killer Trial
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Prosecutors have argued that Lamont Pride was in the midst of robbing a small-time drug dealer before shooting a veteran NYPD officer in the face.
But the jury in the ongoing murder trial for Det. Peter Figoski heard in a videotaped statement from Pride after he was apprehended that painted a different picture.
On the tape shown to jurors, Pride claimed that he was smoking marijuana in the apartment that was robbed and nervously hid behind a boiler. He said that he was trying to escape when he was confronted by a hooded man with a gun in his hand. Pride said that after a struggle, a shot went off.
That hooded man turned out to be Officer Figoski who was killed without drawing his weapon WCBS 880's Irene Cornell reports.
New Evidence Heard In NYPD Cop Killer Trial
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.
Police Officer Mario Gandini described in testimony on Tuesday the shock of discovering Figoski's body face down and bleeding from the head, after Figoski had volunteered to come in as backup for the officers responding to a burglary in progress.
Pride and Michael Velez, Pride's alleged getaway driver, are currently on trial for the Dec. 12, 2011 murder. Both have pleaded not guilty.
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.
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