Supporters of Peter Liang believe that the former NY police officer was a "pawn" and "scapegoat" in City Hall's anti-police sentiment. (Photo : REUTERS)
Former New York police officer Peter Liang, who was convicted of manslaughter in the death of a man in a Brooklyn housing complex, was regarded by supporters as a "pawn" and a "scapegoat" who got caught up in City Hall's anti-police sentiment, according to a report by the New York Daily News on Tuesday, Feb. 16.
According to supporters, it would have been "foolish" for Liang not to have his gun out while patrolling the dark, dangerous staircase. The jury later found Liang guilty of manslaughter for the death of Akai Gurley.
"There were some errors but they don't warrant a conviction," Lou Telano, president of the New York Veteran Police Association, was quoted as saying.
"People wait in dark stairwells to commit crimes. You have to be ready. You'd be foolish not to have your hand on your gun," Telano added.
According to the report, Telano went to Chinatown Tuesday, Feb. 16, to help raise money for Liang's defense fund. The donations, coming from supporters unhappy with the verdict, were given to the Lin Sing Association on Mott Street in Chinatown to help pay for Liang's appeal.
"I think Peter Liang got caught in politics," Telano said. "There is an anti-police sentiment created by the current administration and special interest groups. He's a pawn. He's a scapegoat."
The Pink Houses complex in East New York where Gurley was killed has a historically high murder rate, according to Telano.
But in 2014, the year Gurley was shot, only two murders were reported in the Pink Houses, police crime statistics showed. The year before, there were no murders reported, and only one murder the year after, the report said.
Liang's mother also reportedly came to the Lin Sing Association office Tuesday morning to collect checks, said Eddie Chiu, one of those who runs the association.
More than 2,000 people have already signed petitions asking Judge Danny Chun to set aside the verdict or sentence Liang to probation, Chiu said.
Liang is "in very bad shape," Chiu added. "Most people who walk in here can't believe it. They all believe the verdict was very unfair."
