Queens, New York — In a case that raised significant questions about intent and evidence, a jury acquitted a Rockaway man accused of attempting to murder two police officers during a late-night chase last July. Joel Kelly, 61, was found not guilty of the most serious charges, but convicted on lesser counts of illegal weapon possession and reckless endangerment.
The trial, which lasted two weeks at the Queens Criminal Courthouse, revolved around conflicting testimonies and video evidence regarding the night of July 27, 2024. Kelly’s encounter with police began after his sister reported a shooting outside her apartment at a NYCHA housing complex, prompting officers to investigate.
When Officers Kathleen Kelly and Abraheem Chaudhry spotted Kelly, they attempted to detain him. Instead, he ran into the courtyard of the housing complex, leading to a pursuit captured by body-worn cameras. During the chase, Kelly stumbled several times, and a gunshot rang out, prompting the officers to slow their pursuit. Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident, and Kelly was apprehended shortly thereafter.
Prosecutors argued that Kelly pointed his firearm at the pursuing officers during the chase, indicating a clear intent to kill. However, the defense contended that Kelly’s gun discharged accidentally as he stumbled while inebriated. His attorney, Scottie Celestin, criticized the NYPD’s narrative as fabricated, asserting that the prosecution failed to prove the intent behind the gunfire.
Video footage played a crucial role in the trial, with a particular grainy surveillance clip showing a muzzle flash as Kelly fled. The jury scrutinized this significant moment, debating whether it indicated Kelly aimed the gun at the officers. The defense maintained that the low-quality footage failed to demonstrate any malice.
During the trial, Officer Chaudhry stated that he felt he was shot at but could not confirm this at the time of the incident. Celestin argued that the officers’ initial statements to their superiors did not include claims of being shot at, suggesting these allegations developed later as the investigation progressed.
Throughout the defense’s closing arguments, accusations surfaced about police misconduct and potential corruption within the investigative process. Celestin asserted that the officers and the district attorney’s office had colluded to exaggerate the case against Kelly, asserting that the prosecution was pursuing an unjust narrative.
Assistant District Attorney Thomas Salmon countered these claims, urging the jury to focus on the evidence presented rather than the defense’s attempts to discredit law enforcement. He argued that Kelly’s actions demonstrated a willingness to use his firearm recklessly in a public space.
Ultimately, the jury’s decision reflected their belief that the prosecution had not sufficiently established Kelly’s intent to kill. Following the verdict, a spokesperson from the Queens district attorney’s office stated that they respected the jury’s decision.
Kelly now faces sentencing for his convictions of illegal weapon possession and reckless endangerment, scheduled for May 28, 2025. He may receive a prison term ranging from three and a half years to 15 years.
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