Monday, April 16, 2018

Governor Cuomo Signs Conforming Order in Death of Saheed Vassell


Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced the issuing of Executive Order No. 147.17. The conforming order amends Executive Order No. 147, signed by the Governor in 2015, to include the investigation, and if warranted, prosecution by the New York State Attorney General of any alleged unlawful acts or omissions by any law enforcement officer relating to the death of Saheed Vassell on April 4, 2018 in Kings County.

"The justice system does not work without the trust of the people," Governor Cuomo said. "I established the special prosecutor three years ago to help restore faith in our criminal justice system and uphold the promise of equality under the law. Today, I am referring the case involving the death of Saheed Vassell to Special Prosecutor Attorney General Schneiderman for investigation."

The Governor signed Executive Order No. 147 on July 8, 2015, which appointed the New York State Attorney General as special prosecutor in matters relating to the deaths of unarmed civilians in deadly encounters with law enforcement. The order allows the special prosecutor to review cases where there is a question whether the civilian was armed and dangerous at the time of his or her death. It remains the first and only executive order of its kind in the nation. More information on Executive Order No. 147 can be found  here.

Executive Order No. 147.17 is available here. The full text of the conforming order can be found below:

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 147.17

In view of the request of Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman, my order and requirement, embodied in Executive Order Number one hundred and forty-seven, dated July 8, 2015, is hereby amended to include an additional paragraph to the penultimate paragraph as amended by Executive Order Numbers 147.1 - 147.16 to read as follows:

FURTHER, the requirement imposed on the Special Prosecutor by this Executive Order shall include the investigation, and if warranted, prosecution:

(q) of any and all unlawful acts or omissions or alleged unlawful acts or omissions by any law enforcement officer, as listed in subdivision 34 of section 1.20 of the Criminal Procedure Law, arising out of, relating to or in any way connected with the death of Saheed Vassell on April 4, 2018, in Kings County.

Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo 

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