Brooklyn prosecutors say a man accused of shoving an NYPD officer 9 feet to his death during a domestic violence call has been charged with first-degree murder.
George Villanueva is being held without bail after his arraignment Sunday night in criminal court. He was being assigned a new attorney.
Villanueva was also charged with aggravated murder, assault and criminal contempt in the death of Officer Alain Schaberger (AL’-uhn SHAH’-bur-gur.) Police and prosecutors say he was pushed over a railing, fell down a cement stairwell, broke his neck and died.
Police say Villanueva had been ordered to stay away from his girlfriend, but she said he’d threatened to kill her.
Police union president Patrick Lynch said Schaberger made “the ultimate sacrifice” and urged a maximum penalty if the suspect is convicted.