MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. (AP) - A New Jersey man is facing a second-degree murder for an incident that led an undercover New York City police officer to fatally shoot an unarmed bystander in suburban New York last year.
The Journal News reports (https://lohud.us/1MgITWh ) 37-year-old Alvin Smothers pleaded not guilty on Wednesday.
Robert Wolf, a spokesman for the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, says the officer wouldn’t have fired his weapon without Smother’s instigation. Police say Smothers pointed what appeared to be a gun at the officer’s head and demanded money last August. The officer opened fire, accidentally shooting a pedestrian walking behind Smothers.
Smother’s defense attorney says his client was carrying a broken pellet gun and there was no reason for the officer to shoot.
Smothers is due back in court on April 20.
___
Information from: The Journal News, https://www.lohud.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.