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The mother of slain cop Peter Figoski clasped her hand over her mouth in shock yesterday as a Brooklyn jury failed to find her son’s killer guilty on the aggravated-murder charge that would have put him in prison for life.
Instead, coldblooded cop killer Lamont Pride was convicted of second-degree murder, which carries a potential 25-to-life sentence.
“I’m disappointed, like everyone else,” said Detective Glenn Estrada, Figoski’s partner, who chased down Pride.
“This is going to be a burden for the daughters down the road,” Estrada said, referring to how Figoski’s four daughters may have to attend parole hearings in the future to argue against the release of their father’s killer.
Pride, 28, shot Figoski in the face during a botched robbery with four accomplices in an East New York apartment Dec. 12, 2011.
The career criminal was convicted of second-degree murder, as well as burglary and manslaughter charges.
Prosecutors said Pride could get as much as 45 years to life when he is sentenced Feb. 28 if the judge orders the charges served consecutively.
“For Lamont, this was a best-case scenario,” said defense attorney James Koenig. “The jury found he did not intend to kill a police officer.”
After the verdict, Pride smiled and mouthed a few words to his brother as he was led out of the courtroom.
The verdict hit the brave Figoski family like a slap in the face.
Peter Figoski’s mother, Mary Ann Figoski, her eyes wide, dabbed her nose with a tissue as her husband, Frank, tried to comfort her.
Figoski’s ex-wife, Paulette, clenched her eyes shut, while their daughters — Christine, 21, Caitlyn, 19, Caroline, 17, and Corinne, 15 — stared on stoically.
“The family’s not happy. Peter was killed in cold blood, and the verdict should have reflected that,” said the murdered cop’s brother, Robert Figoski. “Aggravated murder should have been the only verdict.”
Cops also slammed the verdict.
“We are sickened by the fact that the jury fell for this killer’s lies,” fumed Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association president Pat Lynch.
“We had hoped that the charge of aggravated murder would have prevailed,” agreed NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly.
The parents of Russel Timoshenko, a cop killed in 2007, came to court to support the Figoskis.
“We just feel so sad because we went through that,” said mom Tatyana Timoshenko. “It’s so painful and it’s never going to go away.”
The jury for alleged getaway driver Michael Velez, 22, will begin deliberations tomorrow.
Suspect Ariel Tejada copped a plea and testified against Pride. Two other suspects, Nelson Morales and Kevin Santos, will be tried later.