Witnesses: Cop accused in death tried to aid victim

Two eyewitnesses told jurors Friday a traffic cop charged with the manslaughter of an unarmed Bronx man was in fact the only one to aid the dying man. Former NYPD traffic cop Rafael Lora faces first-degree

News 12 Staff

Mar 7, 2009, 2:23 AM

Updated 5,526 days ago

Share:

Witnesses: Cop accused in death tried to aid victim
Two eyewitnesses told jurors Friday a traffic cop charged with the manslaughter of an unarmed Bronx man was in fact the only one to aid the dying man.
Former NYPD traffic cop Rafael Lora faces first-degree manslaughter charges for the death of Fermin Arzu. Lora, who was off-duty at the time, is accused of shooting Arzu inside the man?s red minivan. According to medical examiners, Arzu was driving drunk before the shooting.
Geralda Ramero and Ambrious Pountierre each testified Lora ran to Arzu?s minivan to help out after the two men allegedly scuffled on Hewitt Place. Defense attorney Stuart London says Lora was trying to protect the streets.
?He never wanted this tragedy to end up like it did, and I think the fact that he tried to help at the end exemplifies this,? says London.
Lora is expected to take the stand next week. He faces up to 15 years in prison.


More from News 12
1:57
3 families displaced by fast-moving fire at North Amityville home

3 families displaced by fast-moving fire at North Amityville home

2:02
Sunny and mild Tuesday before rain returns Wednesday

Sunny and mild Tuesday before rain returns Wednesday

2:53
Sachem schools consider staffing and program cuts, piercing tax cap as budget vote looms

Sachem schools consider staffing and program cuts, piercing tax cap as budget vote looms

DA: Syosset man pleads guilty in DWI crash that killed married couple in Laurel Hollow

DA: Syosset man pleads guilty in DWI crash that killed married couple in Laurel Hollow

0:29
Jericho named Long Island's top rated high school by U.S. News and World Report

Jericho named Long Island's top rated high school by U.S. News and World Report

0:51
NCC working with food truck vendors to provide food for rest of semester

NCC working with food truck vendors to provide food for rest of semester

0:26
USDA warns of ground beef that may be contaminated with E.coli

USDA warns of ground beef that may be contaminated with E.coli

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

1:42
Made on Long Island: Nicolock Paving Stones in Lindenhurst

Made on Long Island: Nicolock Paving Stones in Lindenhurst

0:48
9 steps to take if your ‘fur-ever’ friend goes missing

9 steps to take if your ‘fur-ever’ friend goes missing

0:51
State police: Trooper struck in the face by combative driver during Southern State Parkway traffic stop

State police: Trooper struck in the face by combative driver during Southern State Parkway traffic stop

1:54
Ronkonkoma woman pleads not guilty to 49 counts of animal cruelty

Ronkonkoma woman pleads not guilty to 49 counts of animal cruelty

1:33
Hampton Bays woman retrieves phone, wallet she accidently dumped into recycling bin nearly 3 weeks ago

Hampton Bays woman retrieves phone, wallet she accidently dumped into recycling bin nearly 3 weeks ago

1:55
Long Islanders taught about dangers of toxic pollutants in drinking water

Long Islanders taught about dangers of toxic pollutants in drinking water

0:16
Police: Long Beach man punched nurse in abdomen at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital

Police: Long Beach man punched nurse in abdomen at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital

1:59
Long Island gets introduced to matzah pizza; proceeds will go toward charities

Long Island gets introduced to matzah pizza; proceeds will go toward charities

0:32
Spartans chosen as new mascot for Brentwood school district

Spartans chosen as new mascot for Brentwood school district

0:19
Police: 2 people hospitalized following Lawrence crash

Police: 2 people hospitalized following Lawrence crash

2:12
Amityville schools to receive $2 million from new state budget to help reduce budget deficit, save jobs

Amityville schools to receive $2 million from new state budget to help reduce budget deficit, save jobs

0:17
Man wanted for stealing $1,000 in merchandise from Centereach store

Man wanted for stealing $1,000 in merchandise from Centereach store