STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.— After just over a day of deliberations, jurors assigned to the Carlos Rivera manslaughter trial returned a verdict of not guilty to the top charges.
Rivera, 38, of Stapleton, was accused of killing a man who was known to him during a street fight on the afternoon of June 17, 2024. The incident unfolded on a commercial block in Stapleton, resulting in the death of 41-year-old Joel Badillo.
The jury, who heard the case in state Supreme Court, St. George, acquitted the defendant of first-degree manslaughter and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Had Rivera been found guilty of manslaughter, he was facing significant prison time due in part to multiple, prior non-violent convictions.
The defendant was, however, found guilty of felony tampering with evidence, after he tossed his knife into a sewer at the crime scene. That count, given his prior record, carries a maximum sentence of two to four years in prison. He already has completed 17 months on Rikers Island since his arrest, which counts toward his upcoming sentence.
Justice Mario F. Mattei, who presided over the trial, revised the defendant’s bail in light of the verdict, while also considering Rivera’s criminal record and duty to return to court on the tampering charge. Mattei set bail at $2,500 cash, $5,000 bond, or 10% of $10,000 as a personal secured bond.
As the sides argued over bail, Rivera wiped tears from his eyes. Several of his family members had attended the trial proceedings, including the day-and-a-half of jury deliberations.
This is a developing story. Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.
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