The documents also include other examples of possible attempts to control the description surrounding Prude’s death in custody by police and city officials.
The Prude family’s request by city and police officials to slow down the release of the tape by city and police officials shows the officers kneeling and restraining Prude.
The attorney, maintained by Elliott Shields, Prude’s brother, filed a Freedom Information request for the footage on April 3. The footage was not released until August 12.
Documents show that, following that email, city attorneys, along with Rochester police officers and attorneys at the New York Attorney General’s Office Fees, denied the request or attempted to delay it.
“I’m wondering why we shouldn’t keep this in mind for a while given what is going on across the country,” a police official wrote in an email to the city attorney in June, saying people involved in the conversation were involved. The then Chief La’Ron Singlettery and the current Acting Chief Mark Simmons.
“We certainly don’t want people to misinterpret the actions of officials and confront this phenomenon with the recent killing of unarmed black men nationally by law enforcement,” Sims wrote. “I say we reach out to the corporation council and ask them to reject the request based on the activism of the case, as they are currently being investigated for possible offenses brought forward by the AG’s fees.”
“I totally agree,” Singlettari replied.
Prude stopped breathing and was pronounced brain dead at the hospital, where he died a week later, on March 30.
A Monroe County medical examiner eventually killed Prud by killing him, citing shortness of breath in an adjustment of physical restraint. The report found excruciating delirium and acute PCP. Intoxication has also been cited as a contributing factor to the immediate cause of death.
Cover-up allegations
“This initial appearance shows that many people suspect that we have a widespread problem in the Rochester Police Department,” Warren said in a news release. “It looks at everything through the eyes of the badge and not the citizens we serve. It shows that Mr. Prude’s death was not taken so seriously by those who reviewed the case during the city government at every level.”
In a statement announcing his retirement last week, Singlettari said he had been publicly misinformed about what he had done.
“Members of the Rochester Police Department and the Greater Rochester Community know my reputation and know what is in store for me,” Singlettari said. “The misconduct and politicization of the action I have taken since Mr. Prude’s death was reported is not based on facts, and is not what I support.”
Last week, Prude’s sister filed a lawsuit in federal court against SingleTree, 13 other officers, and advanced New York City, in part covering the death department. Neither alone nor the city responded to requests for comment on the lawsuit.
Simmons, acting chief, did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday by CNN.
New York’s Freedom of Information Act may withhold documents from state agencies when their disclosure interferes with ongoing investigations or compromises with a leaker.
Shields, the family attorney, was able to view police footage in the attorney general’s office fee in mid-July, but a copy was not provided.
Rochester Police Lieutenant. In a June 3 email between Michael Perkowski and Rochester City Attorney Stephanie Price, Perkowski said the attorney in the AG’s office fee could “help the plaintiff’s attorney see body footage without releasing camera footage, to buy a little more time before releasing this.”
On Wednesday, the office of New York Attorney General Letia James issued a statement to CNN defending her office fees.
“At no stage during this investigation did any member of the Attorney General’s Office pay the Rochester City or the Rochester Police Department to withhold any quality, period information.
“For weeks, the city and police departments, instead of focusing on the real problem at hand, have been engaged in a deeply troubled and misleading campaign in an effort to cover up their tracks and give shirk responsibility. As we have done since April, And continue to work tirelessly and without interruption to give worthy answers to the Rochester community. “
‘Make him suspicious’
In addition, the documents show at least two instances in which reports were altered that led to Prude’s death.
Reports of two incidents reported by police officers, in documents published by the city, have been edited with a red pencil. It is not clear who made these handwritten notes or in fact when they were made. In an incident report filed by Mark Fischer Mark Vaughn, in several edits, some prosaic, Prude’s name is written in the space named “Victim”.
Prud’s name is engraved in red, next to a large, handwritten note: “Make him suspicious.”
A similar note is attached to the report of Officer Fisher Paul Ricotta, who responded to the burglary alarm at 10:10 a.m.
“List of Daniel Proud [Suspect], “He reads in red pencil.” Burglary recorded during the day’s show – add video [suspect] Break the window and enter the location. “
Bodycom footage from Prude’s arrest includes officers claiming that Prod (described as “Mr. PCP”) may be the person responsible for the broken window at the T-Mobile store. The suspect was listed as “unknown” in the original report.
Mike Mazzio, president of the Rochester Police Union, told CNN on Wednesday that he did not know who wrote the handwritten amendment to the police reports but said it was standard practice to amend the reports before they were finalized. He pointed out that the supervisor’s sign-have f on the reports in question.
An undated follow-up report on the incident by the Major Crime Unit in Rochester states that “many reports have been rejected for research,” but does not specify which reports are available, or which corrections.
Trying to talk to the medical examiner’s fee
Further, documents revealed an email exchange following Prude’s death at Strong Memorial Hospital in which Lieutenant Perkowski demanded to speak with the medical examiner’s office fees before Prude’s autopsy.
“I imagine your office will pay the fees,” wrote a March 31 letter to Julie Ludeck, a secret assistant to the Morro County medical examiner. “Can you and you communicate before that?”
“He is somewhat sensitive, as he was in police custody when he was sent to the hospital,” Perkowski added. “I was on the scene and have all the details for you.”
In response, Ludke asked for relevant incident reports, which Perkowski said were on their way. He then reiterated that he had “background information” and an offer to meet with a medical examiner. Luke replied that he would call Parkowski.
A medical examiner in Monroe County eventually ordered Prude’s death. CNN has reached out to comment on the medical examiner’s office fees.
The president of the police union, Mazzio, said this was possible. There is a mental interaction.
“The medical examiner should have the information and set up a lot of information regarding what happened,” he said.
“I haven’t seen any of these emails until they are published. But I can tell you that the medical examiner is always asking for that kind of information and major crimes will be handled with the ME’s office fees for any homicide or any investigation.”
Mazzio said the involvement would represent the union for the officers involved in the case, and that it plans to announce the name of the attorney as soon as Friday.
He also acknowledged the missteps between the police and the city leadership.
“I’m shocked, and I have no reason to control it this way. And apparently the head has paid the price, but I believe there are a lot of fallen people here. And we’re not really getting it.” At the root of the problem, ”he said.
“Why would any of us want to live out of what is happening now? You know, public trust is important, and it’s very difficult in police work. Why make stupid mistakes or handle things like this. It doesn’t make sense.” And this The leadership should be called into question. “
CNN’s Eric Levens contributed to this report.
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