NYPD Det. Jonathan Diller, 31
NYPD officer assigned to the Community Response Team in Queens. New father; his son was one year old at the time of his death.
- Original chargeSecond-degree criminal possession of a weaponApril 12, 2023
- Released$75,000 bailApril 15, 2023
- 345 days laterMurderMarch 25, 2024
What happened
Diller and his partner approached a parked car illegally stopped at a bus stop in Far Rockaway. Passenger Guy Rivera (separately, a parole-release case) shot Diller below his vest. Jones — the driver, free on $75K bail — had a loaded ghost gun in the glove compartment. After the killing Judge Maria Gonzalez found him a flight risk and remanded him without bail.
The release decision
On April 12, 2023, Lindy Jones was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Queens Criminal Court Judge Pending Identification ordered the release on April 15, 2023. Terms: $75,000 bail. Prosecutors had asked for higher bail / detention given criminal history. The defendant had 14 prior arrests at the time.
The defendant's record
14 prior arrests dating to 2001. 2003 conviction for attempted murder and robbery, served 10 years. April 2023 arrest for criminal possession of a weapon (loaded firearm in Far Rockaway).