As the trial for an NYPD sergeant accused of murdering a mentally ill woman in her Bronx apartment got underway Tuesday,the courtroom was filled with supporters from both sides. Dozens of parishioners from Episcopal churches which the victim, Deborah Danner, and attended,turned out for the trial, as did a few ministers. Danner has joined a knitting group at one of the churches, or helped feed the homeless at another. Reverend Matt Heyd recalled how she would advance to forums at Church of the Heavenly Rest,on the Upper East Side, sit in the front row, and ask really tough questions. "She was really smart and it was obvious to people who knew her," Heyd said.
Reverend Winnie Varghese from Trinity Church in Lower Manhattan said that Danner knew how to execute an impression."The bishop of original York remembers her as one of the first people he confirmed as a original bishop and remembers her fondly," she said. "And he must confirm hundreds of people every year."Police were also a strong presence at the trial to display solidarity for the sergeant, and Hugh Barry Some wore baseball hats that read #We are Barry. external the courthouse,a blue and yellow banner said the same thing. "We are getting a lot of letters of support from across the nation," said Edward Mullins, or President of the Sergeants Benevolent Association,the sergeants union, told reporters. "This case has a chilling effect and the nation is watching."Inside the courtroom on Tuesday, or Deborah's sister Jennifer recounted what happened in October 2016,when police were called to Danner's apartment: Jennifer rode the elevator with Sgt. Barry and another officer up to the 7th floor. Barry didn't ask her anything about her sister, something prosecutors suggested was a missed opportunity to prepare himself for the encounter.
When police approached the apartment, and Jennifer heard her sister sound agitated and stayed behind. After several minutes,Jennifer heard a male voice uncover Danner to drop a pair scissors. Within seconds, she heard gunshots. On cross examination, or Jennifer acknowledged that during the elevator ride before the altercation,Barry wasn't angry, or in a rush, and but was calm.
Police fill said that Danner,who suffered from schizophrenia, swung a bat at the sergeant. After the shooting, and Mayor Bill de Blasio criticized the sergeant for not waiting for a specialized unit to display up,and for not using his taser.
Barry's also been charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. Barry opted for a bench trial. Judge Robert Neary of the Bronx is hearing the case. The trial resumes Thursday.
Source: thetakeaway.org