N.Y. Officer Kills Man While 'Showing Off' Gun

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N.Y. Officer Kills Man While 'Showing Off' Gun


Posted: Friday, November 6, 2009
Updated: November 6th, 2009 03:17 AM EDT


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WILL DAVID, Gannett News Service
The (Westchester, N.Y.) Journal News



NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - Eastchester police Officer James Pileggi was arraigned Wednesday afternoon in the fatal off-duty shooting of a New Rochelle man Tuesday night, and his lawyer afterward called it a tragic accident.

"This is a terrible tragedy," lawyer Angelo MacDonald said outside New Rochelle City Court, "but unfortunately an accident."

He added, about the manslaughter charge against Pileggi, "This is an overcharge and may be unprovable."

Pileggi, 29, of Centre Avenue, New Rochelle, was charged with second-degree manslaughter, a felony, in the fatal shooting of Andre Everett, 27, of 17 Albert Place. Bail was set at $50,000.

Pileggi was suspended with pay Wednesday from the police department.

Pileggi and two acquaintances - 29- and 33-year-old men, both from New Rochelle - were parked in Everett's driveway in Pileggi's car around 8:46 p.m. Pileggi was in the passenger seat "showing off" his 9mm off-duty weapon that was equipped with a laser, New Rochelle Capt. Joseph Schaller said. Everett was standing outside the car.

Pileggi "recklessly discharged the weapon" striking Everett in the throat, Schaller said.

Everett was taken to Sound Shore Medical Center where he was declared dead at 9:40 p.m. Tuesday.

Eastchester Police Chief Timothy Bonci said Pileggi has been on the Eastchester force for two years. Before that, he spent four years as a Mount Vernon police officer.

In Eastchester, Pileggi's duty performance was good, Bonci said.

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