Lamont Pride, center, at his arraignment, Dec. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Jessie Ward, File)
NEW YORK (MYFOXNY) -
A judge has sentenced cop killer Lamont Pride to to 45 years to life in prison, the maximum allowable sentence on a conviction of second-degree murder, the AP reported.
A jury this month aquitted Pride of the more serious charge of aggravated first-degree murder in the shooting death of Police Officer Peter Figoski. That charge would have landed Pride in prison for life without chance of parole.
Pride, 28, shot Figoski, 47, in the face at point-blank range during a botched robbery in December 2011.
Pride's lawyer successfully argues that his client didn't intend to kill Figoski. Pride said in a videtaped statement that he kept his finger on the trigger as he emerged from the building where he and several others had tried to rob a drug dealer. He said that he tripped on the stairs, fell to the ground, and the gun went off, killing Figoski.
The jury apparently bought it.
Figoski's family and his fellow officers were outraged by the jury's decision.
His four daughters spoke in court Thursday.
"Lamont Pride robbed my sisters and I of having that trusted rock and confidant that we were so fortunate to have in our father," said Caitlyn Figoski, 19, the officer's eldest daughter. "He could have chosen to slip by our father on the stairs of that basement and run away, or he could have chosen to drop the gun and surrender to police. Instead he chose to keep the gun in his hand, aim the gun at my dad's face, and pull the trigger. A father and daughter's bond is something extremely special and will never be broken, but now we must continue to mourn his loss for the rest of our lives."
Corinne Figoski, 15, told the courtroom: "When our father died, a part of us died, too."
The NYPD porthumously promoted Figoski to detective.
Monday, May 20 2013 10:28 PM EDT2013-05-21 02:28:23 GMT
After Assemblyman Vito Lopez resigned over claims of serial sexual harassment of female staffers, attention turned to whether powerful Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver should continue his leadership.
After Assemblyman Vito Lopez resigned over claims of serial sexual harassment of female staffers, attention turned to whether powerful Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver should continue his leadership.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:57 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:57:40 GMT
The federal judge presiding over civil rights challenges to the stop-and-frisk practices of the New York Police Department has no doubt where she stands with the government.
The federal judge presiding over civil rights challenges to the stop-and-frisk practices of the New York Police Department has no doubt where she stands with the government.
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:35 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:35:12 GMT
A bicyclist was killed when he was struck by a livery cab in Brooklyn early Sunday morning. Police say the victim was riding eastbound on Eastern Parkway between Underhill and Washington Avenues
A bicyclist was killed when he was struck by a livery cab in Brooklyn early Sunday morning. Police say the victim was riding eastbound on Eastern Parkway between Underhill and Washington Avenues
Friday, May 17 2013 9:12 PM EDT2013-05-18 01:12:56 GMT
A welcome sight in Coney Island: workers cleaning umbrellas, wiping down counters, and putting the finishing touches on a rebuilt Original Nathan's Famous.
A welcome sight in Coney Island: workers cleaning umbrellas, wiping down counters, and putting the finishing touches on a rebuilt Original Nathan's Famous.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:28 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:28:27 GMT
Democratic Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who represents New York City, said he will resign June 20 amid a sexual harassment scandal and run for a City Council seat.
Democratic Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who represents New York City, said he will resign June 20 amid a sexual harassment scandal and run for a City Council seat.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:58 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:58:24 GMT
Prospect Park is a 558-acre urban oasis in the heart of Brooklyn; perfect for running, relaxation, and recreation. While hundreds take advantage of the trails and paths, many here were surprised to learn
Prospect Park is a 558-acre urban oasis in the heart of Brooklyn; perfect for running, relaxation, and recreation. While hundreds take advantage of the trails and paths, many here were surprised to learn
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:06:34 GMT
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:17 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:17:42 GMT
Several New York lawmakers are sounding the alarm about security and safety lapses at day care centers across New York City.
Several New York lawmakers are sounding the alarm about security and safety lapses at day care centers across New York City. In a report released Thursday, dozens of daycares cited by the Dept. of Health for serious and critical health code violations since 2010, have not fixed the problems and continue to operate without penalty.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-16 03:08:35 GMT
A judge in Manhattan put the brakes on the so-called Taxi of Tomorrow because the Nissan-built minivan does not come in a hybrid version -- a violation of the city code.
A judge in Manhattan put the brakes on the so-called Taxi of Tomorrow because the Nissan-built minivan does not come in a hybrid version -- a violation of the city code.
Peter Figoski (NYPD photo)
Lamont Pride at his sentencing, Feb. 28, 2013.
Lamont Pride, center, at his arraignment, Dec. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Jessie Ward, File)
