US prosecutors say they will not seek prison time for a New York police officer convicted of manslaughter over the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man.
Officer Peter Liang was convicted of manslaughter in February after the 2014 shooting death of Akai Gurley.
However, on Wednesday, Brooklyn District attorney Ken Thompson said there is no evidence that Liang intended to kill or injure Gurley.
“Because his incarceration is not necessary to protect the public, and due to the unique circumstances of this case, a prison sentence is not warranted,” Thompson said in a statement.
Gurley was shot in the chest in Brooklyn but police say Liang had fired apparently by accident.
The officer was patrolling at a public housing high-rise with his gun drawn when he said a sudden sound jolted him and he fired. The bullet ricocheted off a wall and hit Gurley on a lower floor.
Prosecutors have recommended five years probation and six months home confinement…