Man sentenced to 30 years to life for 2019 robbery that led to NYPD officer's death

NEW YORK - A man who was convicted of murder in connection with a 2019 robbery in New York City that led to a police officer's shooting and death was sentenced Thursday to 30 years to life in prison.

Jagger Freeman, 28, planned the Feb. 12, 2019, holdup that resulted in detective Brian Simonsen's death, Queens County District Attorney Melinda Katz said. A second officer was also wounded.

"Today is the day my disband, Det. Brian Simonsen can finally rest in peace," said Lee Ann Simonsen, Brian's widow. "It's also a day when I can begin to heal and rebuild my life.

Authorities say Det. Brian Simonsen, 42, was struck by crossfire from other officers' guns as they attempted to take freeman and his accomplice into custody.

Prosecutors say Freeman was responsible for the chain of events that led to Simonsen's death, and a jury agreed, convicting Freeman of murder. 

Defense attorney Ronald Nir said Freeman would appeal the conviction.

Freeman spoke at the sentencing on Friday, maintaining his innocence.

Freeman was unarmed during the attempted robbery. Investigators found that 42 shots were fired at the scene injust 11 seconds.

"We feel very strongly that the DA's office did a wonderful job on a very difficult case and we are happy that Jagger Freeman will spend most of the rest of his life, if not the rest of his life, behind bars where he belongs," said Paul Di Giacomo, President of the Detectives Endowment Association.

For Candace Wynn, Freeman's partner, the decision was heartbreaking.

"I feel heartbroken, I feel really, really heartbroken. I feel like, 30 to life, come on, come on. You all should have some type of mercy," Wynn said.