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NY AG Enlists Local Prosecutors To Probe Killings By Police

New York State

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has authorized local prosecutors to start investigations when police kill unarmed civilians but prohibits them from giving immunity to any witnesses.

Schneiderman, appointed state special investigator and prosecutor in police killings, also prohibits the 62 county district attorneys from eliciting related testimony before grand juries. That typically provides immunity from prosecution.

They also cannot make plea or cooperation agreements with suspects.

The attorney general was given the new authority by Gov. Andrew Cuomo following recent killings of civilians by police who weren't indicted.

Cuomo says there's a perceived conflict of interest for county district attorneys prosecuting police they work with.

Schneiderman says he's responding to local prosecutors' concerns about the crucial investigation time right after an incident.

Five of his staff will pursue any cases.

© 2015 AP

Dave Lucas is WAMC’s Capital Region Bureau Chief. Born and raised in Albany, he’s been involved in nearly every aspect of local radio since 1981. Before joining WAMC, Dave was a reporter and anchor at WGY in Schenectady. Prior to that he hosted talk shows on WYJB and WROW, including the 1999 series of overnight radio broadcasts tracking the JonBenet Ramsey murder case with a cast of callers and characters from all over the world via the internet. In 2012, Dave received a Communicator Award of Distinction for his WAMC news story "Fail: The NYS Flood Panel," which explores whether the damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee could have been prevented or at least curbed. Dave began his radio career as a “morning personality” at WABY in Albany.
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