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Families of New Yorkers killed by police plead Gov. Cuomo to assign special prosecutors – Metro US

Families of New Yorkers killed by police plead Gov. Cuomo to assign special prosecutors

(Image via Flickr/@governorandrewcuomo)
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Surviving family members of 18 New Yorkers killed by police want Gov. Andrew Cuomo to wield his executive power to help prosecute cops who use excessive deadly force.

The 20 mothers, fathers, siblings and close family members praised said they were disappointed in the lack of police accountability.

“We urge you to immediately enact an executive order to assign a special prosecutor to all cases of police killings moving forward,” the letter to the governor said.

After a grand jury declined to indict the arresting officer who put Staten Island man Eric Garner in an alleged chokehold, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman offered to serve as a special prosecutor.

Local district attorneys blasted the idea but were but offered some backing to Cuomo’s January plan to create an independent monitor with the power to recommend a special prosecutor whom Cuomo would appoint.

Loyda Colon, co-director of advocacy and reform group Justice Committee, told Metro the families want Cuomo to cut out the middle man.

Cuomo’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

Relatives of the police shooting victims say the governor must act.

“It’s been almost three years since my sister was killed and we’ve heard nothing,” said Natasha Duncan, sister of Shantel Davis, who was shot and killed in 2012 by an NYPD detective after a car chase in East Flatbush.

“We shouldn’t have to wait this long for justice,” Duncan added in a statement. “No family should.”