The Westchester DA has announced that an independent review of two shootings by police have identified no new evidence to convene new grand juries.
DA Miriam Rocah had announced in 2021 that she was hiring a retired federal judge and a former federal prosecutor to look into the shootings of DJ Henry and Kenneth Chamberlain Sr.
Henry was fatally shot by a Pleasantville police officer outside a Mount Pleasant bar in 2010. Chamberlain, a 68-year-old retired Marine, was shot by White Plains Police in 2011.
In both cases, earlier grand juries declined to bring indictments.
Rocah says while no new grand juries will be convened, she and her executive team identified areas where real analysis and reform are desperately needed. They have made a number of recommendations, including enhanced law enforcement training, communication and mental health crisis intervention.
“The independent reviews have concluded that there is no legal basis to resubmit charges to a new grand jury. The review of the circumstances and aftermath of the shooting deaths of DJ Henry and Kenneth Chamberlain, Sr. by me and members of my executive team did, however, identify areas where real analysis and reform are desperately needed. We are sharing our findings and recommendations in the hopes that we can improve the process in police-involved shooting cases to be more transparent, fair, and compassionate to grieving families. When those of us in the criminal justice system acknowledge where we can do better, the increased transparency leads to more faith and trust in the system. More critically, it allows for prosecutors and law enforcement alike to take steps to ensure that tragedies like these are not repeated,” said Rocah.
“The family is clearly disappointed that after so, so many years, 12 years and counting, nothing can be done,” added Chamberlain family Attorney Randolph Mclaughlin.
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