A former NYPD officer convicted of mendacity about how he shot a teen suspect in a Bronx hallway greater than a decade in the past defended pulling the set off as he evaded jail time Monday.
Danny Acosta acquired solely probation and was fined $2,500 by Choose Seth Steed over the objections of Bronx prosecutors who sought at the least two years after he was discovered responsible of perjury in reference to the 2009 taking pictures.
The ex-cop, 46, pleaded for mercy in entrance of Choose Seth Steed whilst he defiantly claimed he had no alternative however to pump a bullet into then-17-year-old Peter Colon throughout the heart-pounding encounter.
“In my coronary heart, I really feel like I did the fitting factor,” Acosta mentioned in court docket. “Not solely did I save my accomplice’s life, but in addition my life.”
“Nobody is aware of what it’s like. I take into consideration this on daily basis for the reason that first day this occurred,” he added.
Acosta advised a Bronx grand jury in 2009 that he shot Colon from a distance to avoid wasting his accomplice’s life, however it got here out years later throughout civil litigation that he actually fired into the younger man’s again at shut vary, District Lawyer Darcel Clark mentioned in an announcement.
Colon mentioned throughout the trial earlier this 12 months that the officer had his knee on his again when he shot him.
He mentioned he was nonetheless affected by the taking pictures when delivering a sufferer influence assertion from Washington County jail Monday.
“The tragic occasion that occurred has left me with surgical procedure and remedy and I’m nonetheless coping with ache in my decrease again,” he mentioned.
“I need to thank my household, my son, and my buddies and I respect everybody’s assist as nicely. I pray that Mr. Acosta turns into a greater individual from this expertise. I want him nothing however one of the best. I can lastly obtain closure.”
Colon, who clinched a $500,000 settlement because of the taking pictures, was initially hit with assault and weapons prices, however the case fell aside when Acosta refused to testify in entrance of a second grand jury.
It was not instantly clear why he was in jail within the Hudson Valley.
The years-long saga was completely uncovered by The Submit, together with Acosta admitting his lies to a metropolis Legislation Division lawyer underneath the idea of confidentiality. However as an alternative, the lawyer reported the feedback to the NYPD.
Submit reporter Craig McCarthy testified on the trial in April, recalling his interview with Acosta, who bemoaned that the lawyer “f—ked me.”
Assistant District Lawyer Joshua Gradinger argued in court docket Monday that Acosta ought to be sentenced to 2 1/3 to 7 years in jail after he was convicted of 4 counts of first-degree perjury, first-degree tampering with public information and two counts of official misconduct in April.
“It was very clear that the shot was not good. This case goes to the guts of the legal justice system. What this defendant didn’t solely compromises the integrity of the legal justice system, it poisons each a type of jurors,” the prosecutor mentioned.
“As well as, what this defendant did is completely a intestine punch to the overwhelming majority of hardworking officers who give their lives saving this group.”
Acosta misplaced his job in 2021, however was first indicted in 2018. His first trial led to a mistrial.
Protection lawyer William Martin insisted Acosta, a married father of two, had already misplaced his job and slammed Colon for locating himself in different authorized turmoil.
Acosta, whose probation will final 5 years, mentioned he was glad he bought to go residence together with his household.
“I really feel good as an alternative of getting into,” he advised The Submit, whereas surrounded by household.
Clark, the Bronx DA, slammed Acosta for his internet of fibs.
“It took 16 years, however lastly fact and justice gained out,” she mentioned in an announcement.
