ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — New York State Attorney General Letitia James released additional video footage pertaining to her office’s investigation into the death of Daniel Prude.
The videos, released Friday afternoon, consist of more dashboard camera footage and police worn body camera footage of the incident in which Prude encountered police officers before his death in March.
MORE | WATCH: Footage of encounter between Daniel Prude and Rochester police officers before his death
The footage includes body-camera footage from Rochester police officers Mark Vaughn, Francisco Santiago, Troy Taladay, Andrew Specksgoor, Josiah Harris, and Michael Magri — who were among seven officers suspended with pay in connection to the incident.
“Our criminal justice system is in need of significant reform to rebuild the trust between police and the communities they serve,” said Attorney General James in a press release. “Key to that reform is increased transparency, which is why I am proactively releasing video footage from our active investigations into police-involved killings. All of our communities deserve transparency, accountability, and justice, and I believe this is a critical step in moving us forward.”
MORE | Use of force: Did Rochester officers follow protocol the night they encountered Daniel Prude?
The release of these videos follows Attorney General James’ directive that police body-worn and dashboard camera footage obtained by her office in the course of a SIPU investigation be released to the public in order to “increase transparency and strengthen public trust in these matters” — a new policy the attorney general announced while she was in Rochester earlier this year.
To see the new video footage released by the attorney general’s office, visit this website.
Prude, a 41-year-old Black man from Chicago, died after an encounter with Rochester police back in March, but news of the incident just came to light on September 2.
The autopsy report from the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death of Prude a homicide. The report says Prude’s cause of death includes “complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint.” The report also showed that Prude also had a small amount of PCP in his system at the time of the encounter with police, which could explain his erratic behavior.
A federal civil lawsuit filed from the Prude family against the City of Rochester alleges there was an internal cover-up. Aside from former Police Chief La’Ron Singletary, who was fired by Mayor Lovely Warren, several other high-ranking members within the RPD’s command staff have also announced retirements.
MORE | Daniel Prude timeline: From March encounter with police through protests in Rochester
Seven Rochester police officers have been suspended with pay in connection to the incident: Officers Mark Vaughn, Troy Taladay, Paul Ricotta, Francisco Santiago, Andrew Specksgoor, Josiah Harris, and Sgt. Michael Magri.
Protests have been ongoing in Rochester since the news broke September 2.
NY AG camera footage release policy
Pursuant to Executive Order No. 147, the New York State Attorney General serves as special prosecutor in incidents where a law enforcement officer causes the death of an unarmed civilian, or where there is a significant question as to whether the civilian was armed and dangerous. These cases are handled by the Attorney General’s Special Investigations and Prosecutions Unit (SIPU). SIPU investigates and, if warranted, prosecutes these cases. In cases where there is no indictment or SIPU does not present the case to a grand jury, SIPU issues a comprehensive, detailed report about the incident and the investigation, and makes substantive policy recommendations.
While SIPU’s primary objective is to fairly and thoroughly investigate these incidents, it also seeks to provide transparency to the public and to strengthen the public’s trust in these matters. As detailed below, to further increase transparency, Attorney General James issued a directive that body-worn camera and dashboard camera footage obtained in the course of a SIPU investigation into a matter over which SIPU has jurisdiction will be released to the public.
- SIPU will release body-worn camera and dashboard camera footage obtained during an investigation over which we have jurisdiction in a timely manner, when permissible by law. SIPU will not wait until the completion of an investigation to release the footage.
- The footage may be redacted or withheld, as appropriate, to, among other things:
- Ensure privacy (interiors of residences or other private spaces; location of domestic violence programs or shelters; intimate images; images of an individual receiving medical attention; images of documents containing personal identifying information);
- Comply with federal, state, or local laws;
- Protect confidential sources or witnesses;
- Protect a person’s right to a fair trial;
- Protect the identities of victims of sex crimes and domestic violence;
- Protect the privacy, life or safety of any person;
- Avoid undue trauma due to explicit or graphic content; and
- Protect the identities of minors.
- Prior to releasing any camera footage, SIPU will give at least 24 hours’ notice, when possible, to the following parties:
- A known family member or next of kin of the deceased;
- Legal counsel for the family or next of kin;
- The police department that is involved in the incident; and/or
- Any other known entities investigating the incident.
The release of this footage is not an expression of any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of any party in a criminal matter or any opinion as to how or whether any individual may be charged with a crime.
The latest stories regarding Daniel Prude
- Grand Jury now convened for Daniel Prude case
- 1 arrested, pepper balls deployed at small protest in downtown Rochester
- Protesters continue to gather outside City Hall, demanding resignation of mayor, firing of officers and more
- Rochester City Council hosts listening session on Daniel Prude’s death, protests
- Attorney on first amendment rights of protesters: ‘The government must protect these rights’
- Rev. Jesse Jackson coming to Rochester, Rev. Stewart calls for arrest of officers in Prude death
- City officials announce creation of crisis intervention program in Rochester
- PAB wants to be part of Daniel Prude conversation: ‘This is what people voted for’
- Breaking down City of Rochester’s 323-page report into Daniel Prude death investigation
- Mayor Warren: Chief Singletary out, city’s communication director, lawyer suspended, review underway
- Lupien, Barnhart ask DOJ to investigate police response to Rochester protests
- Demonstrators call for district attorney’s resignation in 12th straight night of protests in Rochester
- Daniel Prude demonstration in Rochester for 11th night in a row
- Rochester man charged for ‘attacking officers with laser’ during protest for Daniel Prude
- Daniel Prude’s family arrives in Rochester for peaceful celebration of life event
- Joe Prude opens up about brother: ‘There will never be another Daniel’
- Rochester City Council questions Mayor Warren, Police Chief Singletary, RPD staff on protest response
- Rochester police union president Mike Mazzeo denies seeing Daniel Prude video in April
- Rep. Morelle: Mayor Warren, other leaders should ask themselves if they can still be a positive force
- Free the People ROC hosts town hall on policing and public health
- City Council president says Mayor Warren told her Prude’s death was an overdose after mayor saw video
- City of Rochester officials say police union president Mike Mazzeo received Daniel Prude video in April
- Mayor Lovely Warren, Rochester police union president call on each other to resign
- Police use of spit hoods scrutinized after Daniel Prude’s death in Rochester
- Depew Police say Daniel Prude was asked to leave Amtrak train on March 22, day before police encounter
- Rochester police union: Chief’s office said ‘no concern of actions’ by officers at Daniel Prude scene
- Mental health experts: Prude needed help, not police
- 8 arrested, 2 officers injured, pepper spray deployed during Daniel Prude protest in Rochester
- Mayor Lovely Warren: RPD Chief told me Daniel Prude died from an apparent drug overdose
- Daniel Prude’s brother: ‘He didn’t have history of mental health issues’
- Gov. Cuomo on Daniel Prude death: ‘What I saw was deeply disturbing and I demand answers’
- 7 Rochester police officers involved in Daniel Prude death suspended with pay
- Daniel Prude, Black man killed by Rochester police, remembered as loving
- Rochester civil rights groups demand firing, prosecution of officers involved in Daniel Prude’s death
- Protests in Rochester after bodycam video surfaces in death of Daniel Prude
- Daniel Prude’s family demands justice for ‘cold-blooded murder’
- Protest in Rochester sparks after news of Daniel Prude’s death
- Autopsy report: Daniel Prude death ruled a homicide, died from asphyxia due to ‘physical restraint’
- 9 arrested in Rochester during protest at Public Safety Building over Daniel Prude’s death
- WATCH: Footage of encounter between Daniel Prude and Rochester police officers before his death
- Daniel Prude’s death, police encounter caught on body camera sparks NY AG investigation, protests in Rochester
Check back with News 8 WROC as we will continue to update this developing story.
