Schneiderman enlists local prosecutors to probe killings by police
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has authorized local prosecutors to start investigations when police kill unarmed civilians but he prohibited them from giving immunity to any witnesses.
Schneiderman, appointed state special investigator and prosecutor in police killings, outlined that authority in a letter this week to the 62 county district attorneys. They are authorized to question witnesses, draft search warrants, preserve evidence and support any investigation.
However, without special authorization, they cannot elicit related testimony before grand juries, which typically involves immunity from prosecution. They also cannot make plea or cooperation agreements with suspects.
Brooklyn Boro
View MoreNew York City’s most populous borough, Brooklyn, is home to nearly 2.6 million residents. If Brooklyn were an independent city it would be the fourth largest city in the United States. While Brooklyn has become the epitome of ‘cool and hip’ in recent years, for those that were born here, raised families here and improved communities over the years, Brooklyn has never been ‘uncool’.