A former New York police officer is to stand trial for the murder of ex-INLA man Patrick "Hessy" Phelan over two-and-a-half years ago. Mr Phelan, originally from Derry, died in an apartment in the Bronx on January 20th, 1996 from a single gunshot wound discharged from the weapon of a police officer, Mr Richard Molloy.
The former officer is charged with second degree murder and will go on trial on September 14th, according to the Assistant District Attorney, Mr Brian Sullivan.
According to his defence team, Mr Molloy had tried to stop Mr Phelan from shooting himself after the Derry man had been drinking at a bar.
However, prosecutors claim that after an argument between the two men, Mr Molloy prodded his weapon into the victim's eye and shot him.