Off-Duty Cop Who Shot Drunk Driver Found Not Guilty
Last Christmas was quite a bitter one for the family of bronx resident and Hondurian immigrant Ferman Arzu, who was shot to death by an off-duty cop when Arzu failed to plead guilty for a DWI charge last May. The cop, Raphael Lora, shot Arzu after his car collided into a park opposite Lora’s home. Friends and neighbors advocated on Lora’s behalf, claiming that he was trying to prevent further harm from this unexpected drunk driver. Arzu was shot approximately five times, and his BAC level was 0.17, more than double the legal limit.
If convicted of manslaughter, Lora could have faced a 10-15 year jail sentence, and up to 10,000 in fines. Yet in December, he was deemed free to go on $50000 bail, having been found not guilty. “He is remorseful, yet unapologetic.” according to Lora’s defense attorney Stuart London. “He knows this was not his fault.”
Lora had testified before the grand jury for five hours, when he ran from his house towards Arzu, asking for his license. When the intoxicated Hondurian immigrant refused to cooperate, the battle commenced. While Arzu continued to drive during the firing, his van collided with another parked car and promptly went up in flames.
Lora’s guilt in the case was ruled out on the fact that the cause of death was the unexpected explosion, and the firings never penetrated into Arzu. The family of the late immigrant however, disagree and continue to wage their bitterness and lay the blame on the off-duty cop. “Justice, justice is all i wanted, and I’m never going to get it.” sobbed Thomasa Sabeo, former girlfriend of Arza.
Who is really to blame in this case is still a mystery. The victim, who’s DWI impairment and poor judgment cost him his life, or the off-duty cop who claims he was just trying to serve and protect. Ultimately, the victim is the one who chose to drive drunk that night, and as a cop it was Lora’s duty to pull him over. Perhaps he too exercised poor judgment upon threatening Arza with a gun. Whoever is really to blame in this case, will benefit from a solid acknowledgment of DWI Laws, and the dire consequences that can follow when they are not taken into account. Both the cop and the victim are paying the price.
