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Man Found Guilty Of Killing Cop During Brooklyn Stoop Struggle
By
Jen Chung
Published May 2, 2012
Modified May 2, 2012
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By
Jen Chung
Published May 2, 2012
Modified May 2, 2012
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Last year, a police officer died while responding to a call about a domestic disturbance in Boerum Hill. George Villanueva, whose girlfriend said he was drunk and trying to kill her, was fighting off police officers and shoved Officer Alain Schaberger off the stoop railing, only for Schaberger to fall to his death. Today, a jury found Villaneuva guilty of aggravated manslaughter, but he was acquitted of murder.
The nine-foot fall broke Schaberger's neck and the 42-year-old cop was pronounced dead at a hospital. Villanueva, who had dozens of prior arrests, insisted to the Daily News in a jailhouse interview that it was an accident—"I did not know anyone had fallen. The only thing I’m guilty of is domestic abuse." His girlfriend, Kim Dykstra, even testified that Villaneuva didn't touch Schaberger, but another police officer said Villaneuva shoved Schaberger, who had been trying to handcuff him.
The Post reports, "Villanueva's five prior felony convictions means he'll still be facing a long prison time—a minimum of 15 to life and a maximum of 25 to life."
Tagged
alain schaberger
boerum hill
brooklyn
cop killing
george villaneuva
guilty
manslaughter
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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