Rookie officer Peter Liang was patrolling in the public housing in Brooklyn, one of the most dangerous places in NYC. When he opened the door to the pitch-dark stairwell on the 8th floor, he was startled by a sound and accidentally discharged his weapon.  The bullet hit the cinder-block, ricocheted off the wall and stroke Mr. Akai Gurley who happened to walk into the stairwell on the 7th floor. Office Peter Liang did not realize his bullet strike anyone, he did not enter the stairwell, closed the door and discussed the situation with his partner. At the meantime, wounded Mr. Akai Gurley ran two stairs down and fell into critical condition, his girlfriend tried to save him with CPR and a neighbour called 911. Note that this was happening three floors down from Peter Liang, who was not aware of this situation until dozens of minutes later he went downstairs to look for the bullet.  Officer Liang was, shocked, freezed and totally incapable of making a move after he realized that this missing bullet had stroke an innocent man. 

A fact as simple as this, an accident, a tragic accident that anyone can conclude from the facts with one summary sentence: "a man killed by a ricocheting bullet accidentally discharged", has been painted to be a hideous crime by the DA. Officer Liang was convicted with a "second-degree manslaughter" and is facing up to 15 years in jail. To anyone who has faith in the justice system, this is absurd! For what he has done, he may not be suited to his job, or, at most, he may be charged with "negligent homicide", but given the dangers when patrolling the area, this second charge is arguable. 

Nevertheless, Officer Peter Liang has been the first convicted NYPD officer in a decade. He received a much severed convict than he deserved.  And, he is a rookie.  Many people like me view this as a typical act of politics over justice, a common tactic of using a junior to take the blame.  This has violated Mr.Peter Liang's human rights and does not serve the ends of justice. 

Therefore, I respectfully ask you please set aside the illogical verdict handed down by the jury. If you will not set aside the verdict, I respectfully ask that you sentence Police Officer Peter Liang to probation. Institutional confinement of Police Officer Peter Liang is not necessary for the protection of the public. A prison sentence is inconsistent with the ends of justice.