ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Video of a Black man who died of asphyxiation after being handcuffed, hooded and pinned down by police was released Wednesday as activists demanded the officers be fired and charged in his death.
Daniel Prude died March 30 after he was taken off life support, seven days after the encounter with police in Rochester.
Police body-camera video of the arrest was only released Wednesday.
The city halted its investigation into Prude’s death when state Attorney General Letitia James office began its own investigation in April.
James said Wednesday that investigation is continuing.
“The death of Daniel Prude was a tragedy and I extend my deepest condolences to his family,” James said in a statement. “I share the community’s concerns about ensuring a fair and independent investigation into his death and support their right to protest. As with every investigation, we will follow the facts of this case and ensure a complete and thorough examination of all relevant parties.”
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that the attorney general has been working on the case for months now.
“I did an executive order that allows the attorney general to investigate an unarmed person that died in police custody. That is ongoing, she’s been doing the investigation since July but I don’t want to comment on an ongoing investigation.”
