Community calls for fair trial of officer
New York’s Chinese community has called for a fair and just trial for Chinese-American NYPD officer Peter Liang for the Nov 20 fatal shooting of Akai Gurley.
The current situation, with the Chinese having little influence in US politics, must change, Brooklyn Asian Communities Empowerment chairman Chen Shanzhuang said on Thursday.
According to Chen, the Chinese community representatives will attend court to express their support when Liang’s case opens.
“We’re asking the court to give Peter a fair trial, rather than making a decision under social pressure or (swayed by) public opinion,” he said.
Liang, a 27-year-old rookie officer with a year and a half in the job, is accused of discharging his weapon and fatally wounding Gurley, 28, when he entered a dark stairwell in Brooklyn’s East New York housing project. He and his partner were patrolling the complex, where reports of violent crime had spiked.
According to prosecutors, the stairwell was completely dark when Liang’s ricocheted bullet struck the chest of Gurley, who made two flights of stairs before collapsing.
On Feb 10, a Brooklyn grand jury indicted Liang on six counts, including manslaughter. He would face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
Brooklyn Asian Communities Empowerment held a news conference on Wednesday during which people stood in a silent three-minute tribute to Gurley and other victims of confrontations between police and black people.
During the conference a letter from Liang’s mother was read, which revealed that Liang quit a federal government job to enter police training school.
“The accident (which) happened last year led us to the lowest point in life. I feel sorry for the victim and Peter. I wish society would give us a fair outcome,” the mother said.
The father of Jianwen Liu, the Chinese-American New York police officer shot dead by a black man while working last December, also attended the conference to express his concern for Liang.
Liang’s case has sparked nationwide attention in the United States, as more than 130,000 people have signed their name on a letter to the White House, Chen said.
He urged the Chinese to play a more active role in US politics.