Judge: Enough evidence for trial over NYPD Det. Jonathan Diller’s death

A judge in Queens on Thursday ruled that an indictment against the suspect accused of killing NYPD Det. Jonathan Diller last year could go forward to a possible trial.

In a three-page decision, Queens state Supreme Court Justice Michael Aloise said that after reviewing the grand jury minutes in the case against alleged shooter Guy Rivera, the indictment stemmed from “legally sufficient” evidence to support the murder, gun possession and other charges.

Rivera, who was in court Thursday for a pretrial hearing in the case, was indicted last spring after he allegedly shot and killed Diller, 31, on March 25, 2024, during a traffic stop in Far Rockaway, Queens. Diller was part of a community policing unit at the time and according to investigators, was grappling with Rivera as the suspect sat in a car with what police suspected was a handgun.

Diller was wounded when a bullet allegedly fired by Rivera went under his protective vest. He died later at a nearby hospital. At his funeral, Diller, who hailed from Massapequa Park and was married with a young son, was promoted to the rank of detective.

Rivera, 35, faces charges of murder, attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon. Defense attorney Jamal Johnson couldn’t be reached for comment late Thursday.

Lindy Jones, the alleged driver of the car in which Rivera was a passenger, faces weapons possession charges but has not been charged in the killing of Diller. Police found another handgun in the vehicle that wasn’t fired during the incident.

Aloise also stated in his decision that the unfired handgun in the car was found to be operable by police experts and declined to dismiss weapons possession charges related to it.

Aloise also said that Rivera’s questioning of the legality of statements taken from him by police will be the subject of a later court hearing at a date that has yet to be determined.

Rivera, who is being held without bail, is next due in court on May 29.