AG Letita James to make announcement on investigation into death of Daniel Prude

Rochester, N.Y. – New York Attorney General Letita James is in Rochester Tuesday afternoon to announce the conclusion of her investigation into the death of Daniel Prude. The announcement is scheudled for 4 p.m.

Prude’s death in police custody in March was not revealed until September, unleashing a wave of criticism and protests against the Rochester Police Department and Mayor Lovely Warren.

Prude died while in police custody last year, but his death wasn’t made public until six months later when Prude’s family had the police body camera footage released.

Prude was found naked on Jefferson Avenue in March. Police say he was high on PCP at the time. An autopsy later found he did have drugs in his system, but the manner of death was ruled a homicide.

Police body camera footage shows officers putting a spit hood over his head and then holding him to the ground. Prude eventually lost consciousness and died at the hospital a week later.

Most of the police department’s leadership left in the wake of the revelation.

James has been critical of the department, calling for further reform after last month’s incident in which a 9-year-old girl in custody was pepper sprayed.