peter liang was not a scapegoat. peter liang is part of the problem. every last one of those asian and chinese supporters -- because you are also part of the problem, you helped back and finance. do you understand? you guys got together and here it is, you're saying it is ok. when i walked downtown brooklyn february 20, i was called a nigger. do you understand? i have given solidarity to the family. the families there in the flesh. i was disrespected. so there's no way you can tell me, we're all people of color. all people of color. if we have to get together -- and this is what the justice for akai gurley family and every , everyone hasv been saying, let's not make this a race issue. we're all human. that fatal night, akai gurley, .eter liang, he heard a sound his partner did not hear that sound. amy: i want to ask john liu on that night in 2014 when officer liang killed akai gurley, his first action as he said, this was a mistake that he fired accidentally cut was not to immediately get a to the man he shot, but to text his union rep. can you explain

aftershocks are continuing in the area. >>> a juror in the peter liang case is expected back on the stand today for another grilling. did he lie during jury selection. today the family of the unarmed man killed by liang rallied outside the courthouse. news 4's andrew siff has been covering this for us and he is now there live. andrew? >> reporter: the big question is if the judge thinks that this juror lied, perjured himself will he throw out the entire case and what will that do to the whole atmosphere surrounding the conviction of peter liang? it began today with protest. >> shut it down! >> that's akai gurley's aunt along with other protesters out were upset that the brooklyn d.a. was recommending against jail time for police officer peter liang. now they're upset at the possibility that there may be a mistrial. in other words, that the case may be thrown out. >> let the system know and these police department know that we are not going to take it anymore. you are not going to shut us down anymore. you are not going to shut us up anymore. our voice makes a difference! >> reporter: pete

peter liang faced a complicated case. the district attorney asked in the sentencing guidelines that he not be given prison time. the judge went along with that and reduced the manslaughter conviction that was handed down to criminally negligent homicide. that was a reduction in the crime. he waived six months of house arrest that had been requested by the district attorney's the judge did increase the number of community hours to be served from 500 to 800. the central part of this, what happened here was not intentional but criminally negligent. >> he was entering with a serious mind to do his job of protecting the people of the pink houses. shooting that gun and killing somebody was probably the last thing in his mind. >> reporter: the reaction to the judge's decision showed the pressure on this case. supporters of gurley could not believe an innocent man is killed yet the man who shot him won't go to prison. peter liang supporters were unhappy. a tragic accident led to the conviction. in court, akai gurley's girlfriend

juliet: a huge surprise at peter liang . the district attorney was found with no prison time even though he was found guilty pursuing a kind girly back in november 2014. the judge concluded that liang's intentions to protect the people who live there was legitimate to be downgraded to manslaughter from criminally negligent homicide.he set in 7 to 800 hours of community service. >> getting a gun and killing someone was lasting in his mind and probably never enter his mind at all . juliet: after the hearing, statement saying words cannot express how i feel about the fact that peter liang will serve no jail time for killing my son! it's clear that the lives of police officers are valued above justice. maybe we can get that screen for you . aubrey is here and she is watching the forecast. users for sleep apnea. when a rear hatch remembers your height. when systems can help sense your surroundings. and when cameras change your perspective. that's the more human side of engineering. experience what a lincoln can do for you at the l

peter liang entered the courthouse convict have had manslaughter but left convicted of criminally negligent homicide. >> i am just confused on what happened. >> reporter: liang will start five years' probation and 500 hours of community service for the shooting death of akai gurley. a brooklyn judge reduced the charge. >> the fact that the judge did reduce the charge was upsetting. we feel there was enough evidence to uphold the findings of the jury but this is a man who is a convicted felon. >> reporter: district attorney ken thompson initially recommended that liang serve house arrest and that attracted a crowd of protesters. >> no matter what recommended sentence we gave, people would be upset. >> reporter: and officer peter liang, he drew his own crowd. >> the indiement should not be against peter liang but those in the housing authorities, those in the new york city housing authorities that failed to address the terrible conditions in the houses. >> reporter: so this is far from over. you have the family of gurley who is appealing the sentence and upset about this new li ang appealing

juliet: sentencing for peter liang today. that is not him. he will find out if he is going to prison for the kai gurley. ben: it's tuesday morning, april 15. juliet: i am juliet huddy and it's tuesday morning. temperature started to skyrocket. temperatures got toasty and i loved it. ben: my wife was in miami yesterday and it was warmer here when a flight took off that was down there . it was like anyone there and 82 here . i had daddy duty while she had a gathering. i understand that well. lenny and i will have to hang. >> let's talk about the great weather we had around the tri-state. time of year and highs in the low 60s. we were 200 warmer in central park in the 70s across the island and it was a nice day down the shore with a high of 70. in the hudson valley got up to 800 in poughkeepsie. we are starting out nice at 610. line 62/63. 470 in montauk. down the shore in belmar, we are starting out at 540. with all the dry conditions , a red flag warning was issued.it started at noon /8:00 and we do have trite air condition so anything that's

sooner or later, peter liang, if not him in his lifetime, someone in his family is going to feel our pain. >> reporter: peter liang offered an apology to the family of akai gurley in court that shot in a darkened stairwell, his gun in his hand when there was no threat, a startled response that ended an innocent man's life. >> i apologize [ indiscernible ] i wish i could undo what happened. >> reporter: he was talking to melissa butler who was with gurley and tried to form cpr. she spoke in court over her loss but outside was overwhelmed with grief and disciplined as gurley's on spoke. >> this young lady here was with him when he took his last breath. how on earth can you guys say it's okay to murder and not be held accountable? >> reporter: the judge said it manslaughter and reduced the conviction to criminally negligent homicide. >> that was not an intentional act. this was an act of criminal negligence. and as such, i find that incarceration is not necessary. >> reporter: the sentence is five years probation and 800 hours of community service. a positive development for the former

the senate hearing of peter liang. the conviction on manslaughter charges could carry up to 15 years in prison. carriage tells us. >> the judge downgraded the charges. liang's intention was to protect the people who live there. he downgraded the charges against the 28-year-old for manslaughter to criminal negligent homicide. he sentenced him to five years probation and 800 hours of committee service. >> . [indiscernable] >> gurley's mother released a statement saying , words about the fact that peter liang will serve no jade jail time for killing my son. the system should not claim to be about justice because they only produce and justice. they do not value black lives but they value the police officers above justice. the gurley family attorney says he looks forward to moving on to civil case and appealing liang sentence. >> there is a police involved shooting. for undercover officers in brooklyn spotted a man with a warrant . another man with imported gun from his waistband. the officers fired at the suspect hitting hi

jersey coastline trains are also impacted. >>> and it is sentencing day for former nypd officer peter liang. liang was convicted of manslaughter in the shooting death of akai gurley. >> good afternoon. all new this half hour, an art battle in new jersey. at the center of it a painting once on display in a gallery window that some consider too risqui. >> they say it violates the law and ordered the opener to take it down or face jail and fines. she is fighting back. tony yates with the details. >> reporter: good afternoon. awning there behind me, is a fine art gallery. it opened up in 2007. apparently, by january of this year someone complained about something they saw in the window. now, broadcast tv overseers have their own rules, too, about what we can show. so this is a tv appropriate version of artwork that hung in the window. it is a nude from the back. now, there is quite a few pieces inside that show nudity just like most museums across the globe. in 1992, englewood added an ordinance that said a nude buttocks can't be displayed for the public to see. not on art. not on walls inside

officer peter liang who shot and killed akai gurley in a darkened stairwell in 2014. he was steps today 800 hours of community service and five years pro base. his conviction reduced from man manslaughter to criminal negligent homicide. they say we respectfully disagree with the judge's decision to reduce the jury's verdict and will fight to reverse it on appeal. we will hear from gurley's family coming up at five. >>> meanwhile, to brushfires in new jersey are out but still causing problems for the commute home. there are 60--minute delays between new york and new jersey transit trains. >> the primary election. if you have not voted yet and you're registered, you still have time. doors remain open for another closing at 9:00 tonight. hillary clinton cast her ballot in chappaqua and donald trump voted in midtown today. we are starting to hear about polling problems at certain locations. we have reporters with the campaigns tonight. dave evans is at clinton's headquarters in times square. sandra bookman is at trump tower in midtown. and josh is where bernie sanders is

his lawyer emphasized the difference between liang and police brutality cases. >> peter liang is not them. violation of someone's rights. >> reporter: the district attorney's office saying liang becomes a convicted felon. he's no longer a police officer, never will be. they are unhappy about the reduction of that conviction. the family says this is a tragic accident, that they maintain that nothing criminal happened here. both sides unhappy. both sides will file an appeal for the judge's decision announced today. arthur chi'en, fox 5 news. ernie: thank you very much. family and friends of akai gurley were upset by the decision to reduce the charge against liang and give him probation instead of prison time. the mother of gurley's three-year-old child was one of those not happy with the decision. >> i wasn't hoping for anything. i just thought he would be convicted -- the conviction of manslaughter was going to stay. never in my mind did i think it would be reduced. decision shows there is no justice. >>> now we turn to politics. it is primary day. polls are open until 9:00. there's a

sanders: i'm bernie sanders and i approve this message. >>> former nypd officer peter liang has been sentenced to fatal stairwell shooting of akai gurley. just before sentencing, the judge reduced liang's manslaughter conviction to criminally negligent homicide. prosecutors say that they will appeal the judge's decision. we'll have much more on this story and reaction from the gurley family coming up at 6:00. >>> good evening, i'm kristine johnson. >> welcome back. i'm maurice dubois. many people cast their balance for today's state primaries or they tried to. it hasn't been exactly smooth sailing in many spots. the controller says hundreds of thousands of voters may be dealing with polling problems and now he says he is going to audit the board of elections. cbs 2's steve langford is live at a polling place in lower manhattan to explain today's events. steve. >> reporter: city comptroller scott stringer wants the city's board of election to get its act together amid widespread reports of voters not getting the right information today or being unable to vote. stringer emphasizing he h

no jail time for former new york city police officer peter liang who was just sentenced a short time ago. and good afternoon to you on this very busy tuesday afternoon. i am liz cho. >> i am david navarro. the liang sentence came down within the hour. the judge agreed with the d.a.'s recommendation not to sentence to liang to jail time. instead he sentenced him to five years probation and 800 hours of community service. liang's conviction was reduced to criminally neglect homicide, he killed akai gurley who was unarmed in 2014. today liang once again eyewitness news corner stefan kane joins us now.

they wanted peter liang to not be held accountable for anything. that's the message that the defense is trying to send. but now justice, the judge made the right decision. >> he's going to be sentenced. we don't know how judge is going to sentence him. out of these cases normally 59 95% of the time the judge follows the district attorney's recommendation. >> reporter: you may know there this. brooklyn d.a. ken thompson has recommended no jail time for liang, citing in part the fact that liang is not a threat to the community, had never committed a crime and that thousands of letters have been sent on his behalf recommending that he get no jail time. that sentencing is now set for tuesday afternoon. live outside court in brooklyn, andrew siff. >>> to decision 2016 now. there is a lot going on here in new york tonight. democrats hillary clinton and bernie sanders will square off in a debate in brooklyn. that's set for 9:00. we're going to be there for all of it. just seconds ago the results of our poll came out showing how new yorkers plan to vote in

reporter: that's right, the conviction of peter liang. we did the d.a. had called for no prison time, but very few people expected this to happen. he downgraded his charges and then sentenced him to five years probation of 800 hours of community service. >> this was an act of criminal situation. >> with that there is going to be no jail time for peter liang. in a surprise decision judge danny cheung downgraded charges against the 28-year-old from manslaughter to criminally negligent homicide. >> he turned to apologize to the family of akai gurley. reporter: it was november 2014 when akai gurley stepped into this area. peter liang was on patrol. door slammed shut and the bullet ricocheted he concluded that the only intention was to protect the people that live there. [inaudible] gurley did not speak to the media this afternoon but his was released. words cannot express that this should no longer claim to be about us is because they only produce injustice. their actions. the attorney says that he looks forward to appealing today's sentence. back over to yo

ben: a big surprise at the sentencing hearing of peter liang. juliet: his conviction on manslaughter charges could have carried up to 15 years in prison but very few people expected what happened next. kerry drew is here with controversial details. >> reporter: the district attorney called for prison time but the judge went to step further, in november 2015 liang, then a rookie police officer, in a darkened stairway when he fired a shot that ricocheted and killed girly, the judge watched the video of liang in the pink houses and concluded his intention was to protect the downgraded charges against the 28-year-old from manslaughter to criminally negligent homicide and sentenced liang to five years probation and 800 hours community service. >> killing somebody was probably the last thing on his mind, probably never entered his mind at all. >> i apologize. i wish i could -- >> reporter: girly's family upset with the decision, his mother said palmer released a statement saying, quote, words cannot express how i feel about the fact that peter liang w

you took a piece of my heart. >> because of the actions of peter liang, my daughter is i am without my partner. a mom with without her son. >> reporter: criminally negligent homicide is a felony and the judge said it would be more productive for liang to do community service, 800 hours of it and five years of probation. the brooklyn da will appeal the reduced charge. this is a long ways from over. reporting from downtown brooklyn, channel 7 eyewitness news. >>> developing in the new york primary, the comptroller scott stringer announcing he will investigate the board of elections after widespread problems at some polling places. thousands of people were removed from voter rolls mainly in brooklyn and no one can figure out why. stacy sager has more. >> reporter: we are talking disappeared from voter rolls and officials called the problem widespread. we have had municipalerous -- numerous complaint, and here what they said moments ago. >> the incompetence of the board of elections puts a crowd over these results and it's time to clean up this mess. so i'm going in to investigate, to audi

that means that peter liang's sentencing has been postponed. it was just tomorrow that liang, the former rookie officer with the nypd who was set to find out whether he'd be sent to jail or get probation for killing an unarmed man in brooklyn's pink houses. at issue is a jury, michael vargas was part of the jury that convicted liang two months ago. now he's being grilled for failing to disclose that his own father has been convicted of about anti police facebook posts to show he was not a fair juror to begin with. liang's defense lawyer said you lied during jury selection didn't you? vargas answered that's your opinion. this hearing lasted a lot longer that many expected. one of the possibilities here is that the judge can throw out the trial or that the judge will conclude that despite these writings and comments it was a fair trail, a fair verdict and sentencing will take place when it is now scheduled for tuesday april 18th. live outside of court in downtown brooklyn, andrew siff. one of the strangers he shot breaks down in tears. explaining

that's exactly what peter liang was convict them. they released a statement saying he received a fair trial and will respond to the motion in court. he was convicted of manslaughter in february for the accidental shooting that killed a chai growing inside a brooklyn stairwell . he is expected to be sentenced next week . >> this morning we learn about the fbi investigation into the nypd. >> members of the department got nice parks. teresa is live with more. >> good morning. we are talking about golf republic in a $5000 custom-made private security detail with police officers in uniform at the western wall. it's a trip that was all expense paid. that's what we're talking about this morning. 20 officers involved in a quick protocol investigation . some of them are high ranking. >> were looking for tickets to the super bowl with golf outings in the caribbean. lavish gifts for those in the upper as one of the nypd. it's all in exchange for special treatment .that is the allegation and now the fbi is investigating. >> the nature of the bus

particularly one member of that jury that convicted peter liang may have lied during jury selection,eading to a biased jury. when a top prosecutor suggested that peter liang should not go to prison, supporters protested. >> i'm appalled, discouraged, upset. >> we have reached a verdict, guilty. >> two of the jurors, also spoke out with one unidentified 62-year-old i don't remember tellin62-year-old juror tellinge new york daily news, he shouldn't get a slap on the resist. his attorney said they didn't know that the father of that juror, michael vargas, served time in prison. they are calling for a retrial. in this court document his attorneys ask the jurors, have any of you been accused of a crime? i'm talking about close family or yourself. vargas responds, no no. the document goes on to say a juror who lies his way on to a jury is a stranger who snreeks into the jury room. the statement vargas made on facebook before the trial, suggests police officers get away with violence. a spokesman for brooklyn are district attorney's office, says they will respond in court. we reached out to

ground before order was restored, shot and killed in houses in brooklyn in 2014, and rookie cop peter liang accidentally shired a shot that gurley killing him. act. >> the direct said many wanted liang held responsible for other police shootings. >>> we have to take each case on its own merritts we can't look at other states, we can't look at other instances involving police officers and civilians. >>> liang was sentenced to 800 hours of community service and five years probation, both sides are appealing this case. liang because he believes he should have been exonerated and the district attorney because he believe it is jury decision of manslaughter should have been up held. in brooklyn, channel 7 eyewitness news. >>> new at 11:00, an arrest of thiedubbed the ninja burglar managed to go undetected to district attorney will identify the man they have arrested who is scheduled to be arraigned. >>> at least 507 killed from the devastating earthquake in ecuador. more than 4,000 people were hurt. 3 days after the magnitude 7.8 quake the search for survivors is growing desperate. rescuers found

. >> the words of one juror could get the whole case against peter liang overturned. are some caucasians now benefiting from affirmative action. why some students are claiming it's helping white students get in new york state, we believe tomorrow starts today. all across the state, the economy is growing, with creative new business incentives, and the lowest taxes in decades, attracting the talent and companies of tomorrow. like in buffalo, where the largest solar gigafactory in the western hemisphere will soon energize the world. and in syracuse, where imagination is in production. let us help grow your company's tomorrow - today - at business.ny.gov i hope we have a buyer for the house. me too! what are the neighbors doing here? bill! hey! come in, come in! i didn't know your home wifi could stream so many devices at the same time. dad, it's time warner cable. 300 megs. crazy-fast. and we were right across the street the whole time. the whole time. make your home as connected as possible with time warner cable. p get 50 meg internet for $39.99 per month. call now. w

sooner or later peter liang, if not him in his life time. someone in his family is going to feel our pain. >> a defense lawyer says the newly reduced conviction will be appealed. >>> time is now 5:39 coming up does it seem like it takes forever to use those new credit card chips, there could be a fix in the problem. >> plus could a stranger have access to your smartphone the warning signs that you have been hacked. >>> a warning for people trying to get a deal for the hottest ticket on broadway. >> don't forget check with us . >>> time now is 5:42. let's get over to john. >> my weather watchers are up bright and early, some how chilly it is in parts of the hudson valley, guess what, you're going to see some frost tonight, so watch out for that. we've got nice comfortable readings here this is elana talking about pass over reminding people to safe as we celebrate passover. we appreciate that. and i really appreciate this picture from bruce on the north shore, just a gorgeous sunset last night. very nice. bruce also commenting that national pi

. >> the big day for peter liang. he will find out if he is headed for prison for the accidental shooting of a kind gurley. live. >> i will never stop. >> you might want to hit >> i am like you i will do interesting things. i will take you mentors of long beach when i'm out with audrey . >> you will get the same shot from her balcony every day. >> i will not shoot for my balcony because i don't want to people to know where i live .i like to walk the streets so i will shoot it from the streets. >> that would be an interesting video. yesterday we had temperatures in the 80s and everyone was out. i was walking earlier from madison square park . 77 was the high number and islip it was 74 in bridgeport it was one yesterday. there is a stretch of fire danger. it's anything that's flammable. be aware. the fire could spread rapidly. the rain is coming into new england. the front goes back to the south and it gives us a change in a temperature. we won't see rain. just in cloud cover. region and temperatures come down a bit . m

in november of 2014, akai gurley was killed by then nypd officer peter liang when he fired into a dark stairwell in the pink houses in east new york. a bullet ricochetted off the wall and struck gurley, killing him. liang was convicted back in february and emotions peaked after the district attorney released a four-page letter suggesting no prison time for former officer liang. justice will be best served if mr. liang is sentenced to five years of probation with the condition that he spend six months of home confinement with electronic monitoring and performs 500 hours of community service. some of gurley's family members rallied after this suggestion was made, but the decision is now in the judge's hands. he will decide if liang will go to prison or walk free. i spoke to the nypd a little while ago. a spokesperson there told me situation. they have not assigned a detail to this area just yet, but they're ready to move officers if need be. a person from the d.a.'s office told me the sentencing is scheduled to come down sometime after 10:00 thursday morning. be sure to keep an eye on th

. >>> a bomb shell move in the case of peter liang. he was accused of killing an unarmed man. now they want the verdict thrown out. now there's a juror being called into question. >> reporter: that juror's honesty, a crucial part of the judicial process, but as we talked with legal experts tonight we found out getting a point is an uphill battle. peter peter liang's attorney said the juror lied when asked if a close relative had been convicted of a serious crime. have you or anyone close to you been convicted of a crime. probably yes, but none that -- none comes to mind? >> none that made the papers i don't think. >> i'm talking about close family or yourself. no, no. but it turns out according to published reports the jurist's father served 7 years in prison for an accident tall shooting similar to the crime the officer was convicted of in november 2014. the former cop's conviction should now be tossed, his attorney says. >> i do think it has some teeth, but judges are loathe to set aside verdicts, so it's going to >> reporter: a spokes person for the brooklyn district attorn

a judge ruled peter liang's manslaughter conviction will stand. he found the juror did not intentionally lie when he did not inform the court his own father had been convicted of manslaughter. >> they wanted peter liang to not be held accountable for anything. but now justice, the judge made the right decision. >> he's going to be sentenced. we don't know how the judge will sentence him. normally in these cases, 95% of the time, the judge follows the district attorney's recommendations. >>> the brooklyn district attorney has recommended probation. >>> a former nfl player shot and killed in new orleans will be lettered with a public viewing will smith, who played for the new orleans saints was fatally shot friday night. the murder may be related to a road rage incident. the saints are hosting the public viewing at their training facility. the second line, new orleans tradition, will take place afterwards. >>> the city of boston marking the third anniversary of the deadly marathon bombing. boston mayor marty walsh will join survivors and victims' fa

peter liang could get 15 months in prison. his lawyers trieded to throw out the case claiming that a juror lied during selection. but a judge upheld the selection last week. >>> now to a vehicle involved in a deadly hit-and-run on long island. security cameras captured this in east patchoste saturmay morning. a man who was legally blind was t from behind while walking with a cane. then the suv sped off with obvious damage to the hood and to the front grill. you can see it there on the vehicle is a blue ford explorer, possibly in the years between 2002 and 2005. >>> also new this morning, video just in of a man who police say is behind a fatal stabbing at a manhattan homeless shelter. and the slash log of a liver cab driver. police led 53-year-old william smith out of the 13th precinctt station house late last night. he's been on e run for days after allegedly killing a homeless man at a shelter and slashing a cab driver during a robbery in queens. smith has 1 arrests since 1982 that includes grand larceny and robbery. >>> and

we are going to start with calls for a retrial from the lawyers for fired nypd officer peter liang. liang was convicted of manslaughter in the an unarmed man, but there are new questions now about a juror. eyewitness news reporter diana rocco is live in downtown brooklyn with more for us. diana. >>reporter: lori, good morning. peter liang's attorneys say that this juror had a very good reason for bias and likely lied to get on the jury that convicted liang. that is why they are asking for a mistrial. this morning that juror in question is speaking to eyewitness news. >> i believe i answered truthfully. >>reporter: michael vargus says he didn't do anything wrong when he was questioned prior to serving on the jury that convicted former nypd officer peter liang. court documents show vargus was asked have you or anyone very close to you been accused of a crime? his answer, not that i know of. talking about close family or yourself. vargus' response? no, no. however, vargus did not mention his now-deceased father had served time for an accidental shooting. the 62-year-old who was raised i

. >> reporter: maurice, the judge just ruled that former new york city police officer peter liang will not get a new trial for killing akai gurley. his defense attorney argued that a juror had a bias against police leading to that guilty verdict. but the judge disagreed and now the verdict will stand. attorneys for liang had argued that juror michael vargas lied about having a family member accused of a crime so he could get on the jury for liang's trial but it was later revealed that vargas' father was convicted for accidentally shooting a friend to death. vargas testified before the court for the last two days saying he didn't lie, that he did not hate police. the judge bluntly said he didn't feel the 67-year-old was bright enough to lie his way on to a jury and then ruled the verdict will stand. akai gurley's family says the judge's ruling is a small victory. liang's family says he will appeal the ruling. >> obviously, we're very decision to deny the motion to vacate the verdict, but i thought there was sufficient evidence there where vargas was ducking questions and he is not forth

this morning peter liang's attorneys say that that juror had good reason for bias. they believe he lied to get on the jury, and this morning they want a mistrial. but now that juror is talking to eyewitness news. >> i believe i answered truthfully. >>reporter: michael vargas says he didn't do anything wrong when he was questioned prior to serving on the jury that convicted former nypd officer peter liang. court documents show vargas was asked, have you or anyone very close to you been accused of a crime. his answer, not that i know of. later the judge says i'm talking about close family or yourself. vargas' response, no, no. however, vargas did not mention his now-deceased father had served time for an accidental shooting. in orphanages says it never occurred to him. >> mr. vargas never raised me. he wasn't my father. in my mind i don't have parents. >>reporter: liang's attorneys are also pointing at facebook posts that they consider anti- police as a possible reason vargas would have wanted to be on the jury. >> that it makes me laugh because to tell you the truth

that driver is recovering. >>> sentencing day for former nypd officer peter liang. a brooklyn judge is expected to decide today if liang will face up to 15 years in prison for his manslaughter conviction. liang's gun discharged in the darkened stairwell of a public killing akye girly. girlay was not armed. the prosecutor is not seeking prison time and says liang should not be locked up because he poses no threat tot public. >>> 4:38. you're never more than seven minutes away from weather and traffic. bill. from our camera at 4 times square looking south. got a good visibility here an it's going to be a nice start to your day. look at that temperature, 61 degrees in these overnight hours normally we would be in the low 40s, low and mid-40s, but it's going to be a very mild start to your day. it's going to be a little bit cooler than yesterday as a cold front is coming down now north, south. there have been some showers that have been popping up on the radar here, but mostly it's just been clouds we've been seeing in these overnight hours and almost a pretty full moon

cbs 2's alice gainer reports. >> reporter: lawyers for peter liang says juror number 9 should not have been on the panel that convicted liang of manslaughter. attorneys filed a motion stating that juror michael vargas lied to the court, quote, we now know that mr. vargas' father was convicted of manslaughter for shooting a friend and served more than seven years in prison." the exchange between the court and 62-year-old vargas during the selection process went like this. the court: have you or anyone prospective juror, probably yes, but none that -- none comes to mind? none that have made the paperser, i don't think. anyone come to mind? well, all my friends, you know, through the years, you meet friends and they do silly things. i'm talking about close family or yourself. >> no. no. >> but in a published interview after the verdict, vargas mentioned his father's conviction. the same conviction as liang prompting defense attorneys to file this motion. the defense also notes vargas' 2014 facebook postings about police officers not being held accountable for violence. they say this sugge

. >>> a decision on the fate of nypd officer, peter liang. a judge reduced it too criminally of gurley. he could have g te 15 ears jail time. he gave him no jail time, 800 urs community service and probation. >> i wish i could undo what happened. my life has forever ohanged. hopefully it changes for the better. >> a quiet scene outsi t the courthouse turned volatile after the sentence. they were trying to keep the media from -- nearly came to blows with the ews crewut e mother of akaigurley's ughter. >> reporter: are you in disbelief? >> yes, i am. >> you minimized the lifeaoctf akai gurley. >> peter l iang stepped in there to protect pe ple. and liang was used as a scapegoat for other shootings. >>> a man at the center of policeibrctauit . two nassau county police officers beating a 20-year-old after a traffic stop in april of 2014. now, howard is in trouble for his own behavior. greg cergol has the details. >> reporter: we are here outside nassau police headquarters, a building rocked by kyle howell's beating accusation. today, the now 22-y

lawyers for former nypd officer peter liang won a new trial. ben: one of the doors failed to disclose their father had been convicted of manslaughter for the brooklyn the's office said peter liang received a fair trial and we will respond to this motion in court. he was convicted of manslaughter in february for the accidental shooting that killed girly in the brooklyn stairwell in 2014. he is expected to be sentenced next week. ben: city council will vote on a bill that will keep those costume characters confined to special zones in times square. the bill will give the department of transportation the authority to regulate all pedestrian rules regulating costume characters to special areas. the specifics of that zoning idea still being walked out but it will let people choose for themselves whether they want to interact with those characters or steer clear. we have a lot more to come. wednesday morning. juliet: little woody is here in full effect. what is going on. a deputy all. we have problems. 30 as you step out the door with mainly clear sk

released a statement saying peter liang received a fair trial and we will respond to motion in court. liang is set to be sentenced on april 14th. prosecutors are recommending probation and six months of house arrest. >>> the nypd is the subject of a wide ranging corruption probe. the captain's endowment association else us that at least 20 high ranking officers were interviewed by federal agents. the officers were reportedly questioned about possible gifts from two businessmen. the city's orthodox jewish community and are big political donors to mayor de blasio. >> 5:34. time for weather and traffic on the 4s. we want to check in with storm team 4's dave price as we look head. it's a week we have to just get through, dave. >> here's the deal. we know we'll wind up with better conditions and warm temperatures. it's april. the shock of a lot of this is that we had such a mild winter. if you remember, christmas eve it was like 73 degrees. we just have to push on through and we'll get back to the nice conditions. right now, not so bad. although it's on the cold side. 31 degrees. skies rel

people are still reacting to sentencing former nypd assertion peter liang. here's when he found back in 2014, e he will not go to jail and actually that manslaughter conviction was downgraded. let's bring in our reporter please. >> family was not happy had about that. kerry drew is here family of akai gurley was not happy about that . >> hearing from family coming up. district attorney you remember called for no prison time but judge went one step ports downgrading charming's. liang could have faced up to 15 years behind the bars but instead sentenced to five years probation and 800 hours community service. criminal negligence and it is not necessary -- >> a decision from judge danny no jail time for former nypd officer pert liang and downgraded charges against 289-year-old for manslaughter to back in november of 2014, then rookie officer liang on patrol in darkened stairwell in brooklyn pink houses. according to investigators a door slammed shut and liang gun's fired and bullet rick shared and hit and killed gurley. he watched video in the pink houses that

. >> reporter: peter liang was grief-stricken and in tears back in february, when he was convicted of second-de death of akai gurley, an unarmed man who the police commissioner said "just happened" to be in a dark stairwell when the rookie officer fired his gun. >> i apologize to ms. butler and to akai gurley's family. i wish i could undo what happened. >> reporter: the judge reduced the conviction from manslaughter to criminally negligent homicide and then sentenced liang to five years probation, as recommended by the prosecutor. >> we demand accountability! >> reporter: while black lives matter protesters felt jail time was warranted, liang's supporters felt he was being prosecuted for the wrongs of other officers who have avoided criminal punishment. just last year, 990 people were fatally shot by american police. in the last ten years, 54 officers have been charged in connection with the fatal shootings of civilians. only 11 have been convicted. in addition to probation, liang was sentenced to 800 hours of community service. he has always linsey davis, abc news, new york. >>> than

that building was not damaged. responsibility. >>> today is sentencing day for peter liang, the former nypd police officer accused of fatally shooting a man in a brooklyn stairwell. prosecutors recommended probation and six months of house arrest. liang's manslaughter conviction could carry a sentence of 15 years behind bars.rnow he. attorneys tried to get the conviction overturned and claim the juror misconduct. the jlege upheld the conviction laro week. >>> new this morning the man up wanted for a fatal stabbing at a manhattan homeless slashing and the robbery of a cab driver is in custody. william smith was brought to the police precinct last night after be g on the run for several days. he robbery in queens. 4 investigates found smith has 12 arrests since 1982 including grand larceny and robbery. >>> and in brooklyn now, investigators are trying to figure out what caused this deadly house fire. 64-year-old patricia thomas died in this fire in prospect gardens that broke out at 6:00 last night. officials say it started on the second floor and the attic. eight people were hurt includ

. >> judge has post on the sentence for peter liang. the judge is considering whether to toss the conviction after the defense attorney accused one of the jurors of lying . michael vargas said no one in his family had been later he admitted that his estranged father was sent to prison for manslaughter in the accidental shooting of a friend is not an impartial juror. he is not an honest man . >> he said he was asked of a close resident relatives were convicted and he said he was never convicted with his father and he grew up in orphanages. he made a comment after he left the courthouse. liang sentencing has moved next week . da recommends probation without present on. >> the ongoing corruption probe has been moved. he was the head of patrol for manhattan north . . for other senior police officials were said reassign. no charges have been filed. he says he was in the chart target of the probe . still head on "good day early call" , sunny skies and beautiful temperatures. people are cutting back on soda. healthier choices out there. soft d

in november of 2014, akai gurley was killed by then nypd officer peter liang when he fired into a dark stairwell in the pink houses in east new york. a bullet ricochetted off the wall and struck gurley, killing him. liang was convicted back in february and emotions peaked after the district attorney released a four-page letter suggesting no prison time for former officer liang.

vargas, lied to get on the jury by withholding information about his criminal past. same one that peter liang was facing. the judge says he did not believe he knowingly hid the details and he upheld liang's manslaughter conviction. >> he was ducking questions and not coming with answers. he kept on playing with words. there is always the appeals court . >> part of the issue is that he was estranged from his father his whole life. he grew up in an orphanage. the question he was asked is do you have any close resident relatives that were convicted of a crime and he said no. >> it's on tuesday and prosecutors have recommended probation with no prison time. >> was there crossing of words there? you can understand passion from both sides but hearing that yes. >> early skies and mild temperatures continue. my furniture is on my >> very nice! audrey will tell us all about the weekend and how it shapes up. curtis is threatening to run for queensboro president. >> he is such a troublemaker! that, when we come back good morning. across the tri-state. we have readings in the 20s and the 30s at the north

she was at a nearbyland filed. >> judge delayed sentencing of former nypd officer peter liang in akai gurley defense case. not disclosing his father quicked on a similar charge. michael faced tough questions in courts and will again today. >> mma fans mixed mar had making controversial are sport legal in new york state. last state to legalize mma. it is a form of mma, ufc. they plan to hold the first event at the madison square garden before end of this year. if >> being protest in times square at the moment. >> gym jim in skyy fox hd what do you see? j watching as a group of workers square a rally designed to get widespread increase wages and several industries that began earlier with fast food workers pooght for $15 an hour. now this group started their gatt at 7th avenue and 46th street currently making their way through times square and end the a mcdonald's look 4 2nd street where it began. we're seeing about 100 or so demonstrators through the square, they're keeping their way through -- to the sidewalk at this point. there are polices in the area to maintain any order with traff

. >>> a brooklyn judge said today a juror in the peter liang case did not intentionally lie. so the verdict against that rookie cop stands. miavchael vargas did not lie when he did not reveal his own father was convicted of manslaughter. recommended pro bus station recommend ed probation in that shooting death. >>> the widows of officers will help officially start in year's tunnel to towers run. the tunnel to towers foundation supports first responders who died in the line of duty. lu and ram ra os were shot and killed. >>> a connecticut superior court judge ruled the families can sue the maker of the rifle used in the 2012 shooting at sandy hook elementary school. a federal law protecting gun makers does not prevent lawyers from arguing the ar-15 is a military weapon and should not have been sold to civilian. >>> state police want to know who vandalized this town hall in duchess county. officials say it will cost at anybody with information is urged to contact the police. >>> in brooklyn police arrested three men after pulling a stash of weapons out of their apartment. these

today, a judge could decide to overturn the conviction of peter liang. his attorneys want a new trial. they say juror michael vargas his father spent time in prison for the same crime. >>> a formal investigation into the nypd. the department has now reassigned administrative duty. the mayor insists he will not accept campaign donations from the men. just a short time ago, the mayor said he's willing to offer help to the justice department. >>> now to decision 2016. the democratic presidential candidates back in the big apple today boasting some big endorsements while hillary clinton took a nod from the daily news. bernie sanders showed up at a picket line. we're live with all of the details. >> reporter: dave, bernie sanders is on that picket line as we speak in brookl . he's joined the striking verizon workers who've been on strike he has argued that unions are the backbone of a thriving middle class. take a listen. >> tell corporate america they cannot have it all! you're telling corporate america that workers in this country are not going to be contin

. >>> a judge convenes a hearing for peter liang convicted of death in the pink houses. saying the conviction should be set aside because one juror did not reveal his father did not serve time for manslaughter. due to be sentenced tomorrow. >>> the count down is on for the prior mays, six days remains looking to secure as much support as possible before voters head to the poles. i'm here to say that new york workers and tw local 100 stand with bernie sanders for president of the united states of america. >> bernie sanders is making some head way in the empire state with a major endorsement and a major move in the latest poll. sanders has closed the gap with hillary clinton to just 10 points last month clinton's lead was 21 points. late this morning, sanders was endorsed by the transit workers >> the trade unions are up to day that are the last lines of defense against a vicious corporate agenda that is working hard to destroy the middle class. fresh off an enforcement from the new york daily news, clinton took questions on wins as she attempts to beat back the sanders su

in 2014, nypd officer peter liang shot 28-year-old gurley in the darkened stairwell of a brooklyn housing project. gurley was walking down the stairs with his girlfriend because the elevator was broken. following the shooting, officer liang first texted his union representative before making a radio call for help. as gurley lay dying. liang had faced up to 15 years in prison on second-degree murder charges. but on tuesday, judge danny chun sentenced him to serve only five years probation and 800 hours of community service. judge chun also made the rare decision to reduce officer liang's verdict from manslaughter charges to the lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide. following the announcement, akai gurley's aunt, hecicicirtencia petersen, spoke out. >> this is not justice. this is not justice. my family is going to continue -- we're going to continue to be in the streets. we're going to continue to march until we get justice. we're going to continue to help all black lives -- until all black lives matter. how on earth can you guys say it is ok to murder and not be held accountable