Two New York City police officers were acquitted of rape and other felony charges but convicted of official misconduct, a misdemeanor, following a trial in which they were accused of taking advantage of an intoxicated woman they had helped into her apartment.
After more than six days of deliberations, a jury found New York City Police Officers Kenneth Moreno, 43 years old, and Franklin Mata, 28, not guilty of rape, burglary and falsifying records. Mata was also acquitted of tampering with evidence.
An update from the Daily News:
The NYPD fired two Manhattan cops Thursday just hours after they were acquitted of raping a helpless East Village woman.
Officers Kenneth Moreno and Franklin Mata were given the boot because the jury convicted them of official misconduct for going back to the woman's apartment three times without telling their superiors.
"The guilty verdict reached today involved a violation of the officer's oath of office and merits immediate termination," Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said. "Both officers will be terminated today."
Both cops face up to two years in prison on the misdemeanor charges when they are sentenced June 28.
Kelly lowered the boom after a relieved Moreno branded the now 29-year-old accuser a liar.
"I thought she made the whole thing up," Moreno said moments after he and Mata were found not guilty of rape charges that could have sent them to jail for up to 25 years.
Gothamist is reporting that there will be a demonstration tomorrow against the acquittal outside the Manhattan Criminal Court building at 100 Centre Street from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.