Victim’s dad: Next, let me shoot him
A Queens man was found guilty Thursday of first-degree murder in the May 2015 slaying of NYPD Detective Brian Moore.
Jurors took about four hours to convict Demetrius Blackwell of the murder. He faces up to life behind bars without parole when sentenced.
“I’d like to walk up to him and say, ‘Yeah, I got something for you’ — and put two bullets in his head,” said Moore’s father, Raymond, echoing a statement Blackwell made to Raymond’s son before shooting him.
“And that’s from an ex-sergeant in the NYPD,” the dad emphasized.
Blackwell was also found guilty of attempted murder for firing at Brian’s partner, Erik Jansen, and criminal possession of a weapon.
Blackwell, 37, appeared nervous when he walked into the courtroom packed with cops to learn his fate, but showed no emotion when the jury foreman read the guilty verdicts on all counts.
As he was escorted out, Blackwell whispered “I love you” to a man and a woman seated in the gallery.
Moore’s parents later took to the steps of the courthouse, where they thanked the jurors, the NYPD and the Queens Dis- trict Attorney’s Office for bringing them justice.
“Brian was one of the greatest human beings that was on this planet,” said his mother, Irene. “He was very full of life, very full of fun, everyone always wanted to be around him. He will be missed.
“Thank you very much to the members of the jury for finding this convicted repeat felon guilty of murder,” she added. “And to all of Brian’s fellow brothers and sisters in the 105th Precinct.”
Jansen, who was in court to hear the verdict, took the stand during the three-week trial to tell the panel of seven women and five men that Blackwell opened fire on them when Moore called him out for adjusting his waistband.
“Brian said, ‘Police, man,’ held up his shield and said, ‘You holding something? You got something on you?’ ” Jansen testified. “[Blackwell] said, ‘Yeah, I got something!’ and he turned right towards the car and shot Brian.”
Moore, 25, was shot in the head and died two days later. He was posthumously promoted to Detective First Grade.
Blackwell’s attorney, David Bart, who unsuccessfully argued that his client suffered from mind-altering seizures that left him not responsible for his actions, called the juror’s decision a “profound disappointment.” Bart said he intends to appeal. Blackwell is scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 12.