No charges in NY police shooting of disturbed man
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — A grand jury in New York has voted not to indict a police officer who shot and killed an emotionally disturbed man, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore said the jury heard from 24 witnesses, including the officer who shot 48-year-old Samuel Cruz in May.
Cruz was killed at his New Rochelle home after his family called police for medical help.
Police said he would not open the door and threatened officers with a knife when they broke in. They said stun guns failed to stop Cruz and when he lunged with the knife, an officer shot and killed him.
The district attorney called the case tragic.
A lawyer for Cruz's family, Randolph McLaughlin, said the justice system had "failed another family."
"Until officers are properly trained and held responsible, similar incidents will occur," he said.
McLaughlin cited the similar 2011 death of Kenneth Chamberlain, 68, of White Plains.
Police were checking on Chamberlain's health when, they said, he came at them with a knife and hatchet. He was hit with a stun gun, beanbags and finally gunshots.
A grand jury issued no indictments.
Federal lawsuits are pending in both cases. A judge ruled Tuesday that the Chamberlain case could proceed, but she dismissed claims against several defendants.
—Copyright 2013 Associated Press