A police officer plead not guilty to charges of manslaughter Wednesday after shooting a drunk driver dead in front of his New York home.
The nine year force veteran, Raphael Lora, was released on a $50,000 personal recognizance bond stemming from the death of Fermin Arzun, a Honduran immigrant who lived in his neighborhood.
The New York Times reports Arzun's blood alcohol level was more than double the legal limit when his red Nissan Quest mini van crashed into a parked car outside Lora's home.
Lora, off duty at the time, says he approached Arzun and asked for his drivers license and was then dragged by the van before firing shots.
Five shots from a 9-millimeter Glock were taken at Arzun, one lodged in his back, piercing his heart, left him dead before the van hit another parked car and caught fire.
“The only thing my client is guilty of is protecting the neighborhood he lives in,” said Lora's lawyer, Stuart London. “He felt he was going to be dragged underneath the car and discharged the appropriate number of shots.”
If convicted Lora could face 10 to 25 years in prison on charges of first degree manslaughter. The New York Time's reports the incident as the third this year involving police officers and vehicular fatality's in the city.
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