A jury has found Thomas Johnson III guilty of five of the six charges against him the killing of Rochester police officer Daryl Pierson, including aggravated murder, the most serious charge that could put Johnson behind bars for the rest of his life.
The charges and verdicts were read around 2:20 p.m. Friday afternoon after three days of deliberation. The courtroom was packed with police officers and family members.
Steve Pierson, father of the deceased Officer Daryl Pierson, says he felt anxious before the verdict was announced, and says doubt crept in about what the jury would decide. He described the feeling as causing butterflies in his stomach.
"I'm very happy for RPD, family, and the community. Justice was served and my son can rest in peace."
Members of Thomas Johnson's family also came to hear the verdict. Johnson's sister Tanisha Spencer says she empathizes with the Pierson family, but still grieves for her big brother.
"The Pierson side of the family, you know, they got their justice, what they wanted. As me looking in as his sister, I would have liked for it [the verdict] to say that it wasn't intentional."
Spencer maintains her brother's innocence on the aggravated murder charge.
District Attorney Sandra Doorley says she was overwhelmed when the announcement was made. She says even though deliberations took three days, she did not doubt the win.
"I believed in the strength of the case, and I commend the jury for taking their time to work thoroughly, through all of the evidence in returning a just verdict."
Attorney for the Defense James Hinman says he plans to have the verdict overturned in appeals.
"And the fact that it took them almost 16 hours to come to that conclusion shows that this was not nearly as clear-cut a case as everyone wanted to make it out to be."
Hinman continues to contest that the foot chase that preceded the shooting was a lawful pursuit.
The charges and verdicts:
Felony Aggravated Murder: Guilty
Felony Attempted Aggravated Murder: Guilty
Felony 1st Degree Assault: Not Guilty (This charge was for the bystander Jamal Bollar who was shot, although the jury did find Thomas guilty of 2nd degree assault, a lesser charge.)
Felony 2nd Degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon: Guilty
Felony 3rd Degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon: Guilty
Felony 3rd Degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon (another charge): Guilty
The 39 year old Johnson was convicted after the fatal shooting of the 32 year old Pierson last September on Hudson Avenue. Pierson was chasing Johnson on foot at the time. Johnson was wanted on a parole violation.
Johnson will be sentenced on June 30 at 2 p.m.