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Man Convicted Of Shoving NYPD Officer To His Death Gets 32 Years To Life In Prison

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A man convicted of manslaughter for shoving a police officer to his death during a domestic violence call last year in Brooklyn will spend 32 years to life in prison.

George Villanueva, 42, also was convicted of criminal contempt this month. He was acquitted of a more serious murder charge.

Villanueva maintained his innocence at his sentencing Wednesday saying that if he'd known the officer was going to fall, he would have helped him.

"While it will not bring back a fine New York City police officer, the maximum sentence pronounced by the court today was appropriate and will keep a very violent career criminal off our streets," PBA president Patrick J. Lynch said.

Officer Alain Schaberger died while responding to a domestic violence call made by Villanueva's girlfriend last March in Boerum Hill.

Schaberger was killed after he was shoved by Villanueva over a stoop railing. The officer fell nine feet down a cement stairwell, landing on his head and breaking his neck.

Schaberger was a 10-year veteran with the department.

The prison term also includes a charge for violating the order of protection that touched off the incident.

(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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