Wednesday, March 28, 2018

NY Legislative Caucus Members Decry Lack of Charges in Killing of Alton Sterling

 
ALBANY, NY – In what has become a series of disappointing investigations into police-involved shootings across the country, Louisiana State Attorney General Jeff Landry announced at a press conference today that no charges will be filed against the two officers that shot and killed Alton Sterling in July 2016.
 
Despite multiple video recordings of Mr. Sterling being held to the ground by two officers before being shot several times, yet another investigation finds that the police officers acted within reason. This lack of accountability anywhere in the United States greatly erodes trust within the criminal justice system everywhere in the United States. As Members of the Caucus, we have long advocated for accountability at every stage of the criminal justice system, and continue to push for a special prosecutor for all police-involved killings in New York; in addition to grand jury reform, open discovery, and other efforts that build trust within our communities.
 
Once again, our hearts ache for the Sterling family and all other families that have suffered loss with no justice. We decry the lack of accountability within our systems, and commit to furthering a more just, transparent, and trustworthy relationship between law enforcement and the communities we represent.
 
The New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus is a fifty-four member body of state legislators representing a quarter of residents across the State of New York from Long Island, the metro New York City area, and upstate. 

Source: The Office of New York State Assemblymember Michael Blake (District 79)

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