Witnesses: Cop accused in death tried to aid victim

Two eyewitnesses told jurors Friday a traffic cop charged with the manslaughter of an unarmed Bronx man was in fact the only one to aid the dying man. Former NYPD traffic cop Rafael Lora faces first-degree

News 12 Staff

Mar 7, 2009, 2:23 AM

Updated 5,753 days ago

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Two eyewitnesses told jurors Friday a traffic cop charged with the manslaughter of an unarmed Bronx man was in fact the only one to aid the dying man.
Former NYPD traffic cop Rafael Lora faces first-degree manslaughter charges for the death of Fermin Arzu. Lora, who was off-duty at the time, is accused of shooting Arzu inside the man?s red minivan. According to medical examiners, Arzu was driving drunk before the shooting.
Geralda Ramero and Ambrious Pountierre each testified Lora ran to Arzu?s minivan to help out after the two men allegedly scuffled on Hewitt Place. Defense attorney Stuart London says Lora was trying to protect the streets.
?He never wanted this tragedy to end up like it did, and I think the fact that he tried to help at the end exemplifies this,? says London.
Lora is expected to take the stand next week. He faces up to 15 years in prison.