The Patrolmen's Benevolent Association says justice has been served after an NYPD sergeant was acquitted Thursday in the fatal shooting of an emotionally disturbed Bronx woman.
PBA President Patrick J. Lynch commented on the verdict by saying, “On that terrible, tragic day, Sgt. Barry and his team responded to that apartment for one reason and that was to help a troubled person. Sadly, Sgt. Barry had to take action to protect himself from serious injury or death. The judge looked at the preponderance of all the evidence and concluded that the actions of the sergeant were appropriate and not criminal. There is no victory here today, only relief that justice has been served and a good man who was doing a difficult and dangerous job has been exonerated.”
Barry had been charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in the Oct. 18, 2016 death of Deborah Danner.
Family members of Danner were reluctant to speak with the press after the ruling.
However, a man representing the family says Barry made a conscious decision to reach for his service pistol and pull the trigger.
"He could have used any number of tools or push her (Danner) against the wall. He could have used a water canon to spray her, he could of used mace, and yet, he made a conscious decision. He was going to shoot her and there was no looking for any alternative."
Barry's defense argued throughout the trial that the sergeant was acting in self-defense when Danner, 66, attempted to swing a wooden bat at him.