New York attorney general to empanel grand jury in Daniel Prude case (CW: Violence and Death)

New York attorney general to empanel grand jury in Daniel Prude case (CW: Violence and Death)
Posted on Sep 05 2020
CBS News
NAMI mentioned

New York Attorney General Letitia James will empanel a grand jury as part of the investigation into Daniel Prude's death. James' announcement comes as the city has been rocked by protests for four nights, with protesters demanding more accountability from law enforcement and legislation to change how authorities respond to mental health emergencies. Advocates for such legislation say Prude's death and the actions of seven now-suspended Rochester police officers demonstrate how police are ill-equipped to deal with people suffering mental problems. Having police respond can be a "recipe for disaster," The National Alliance on Mental Illness said in a statement Friday. Prude's death "is yet another harrowing tragedy, but a story not unfamiliar to us," the advocacy group said. "People in crisis deserve help, not handcuffs."