Articles for Marsha McLeod

Dec 3

2018

No prosecution in deadly police shooting

Editor’s note: The clip above shows the key minute of the encounter between police and Rafael Rivera. A second clip below expands on that video. In an announcement Monday, Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said the Buffalo police officer who fatally shot Rafael “Pito” Rivera in September did nothing wrong and will not be prosecuted. That doesn’t mean the matter is settled, however. Rivera’s family has served a notice of claim, in anticipation of a wrongful death lawsuit against the city and police department. In addition, the family’s attorney said he plans to ask the state Attorney General to[...]

Posted 6 years ago

Sep 19

2018

Police policy seen as lacking on de-escalation

The Buffalo Police Department’s use of force policy lacks “important provisions” and is “very weak” on the de-escalation of crisis situations, two national experts have told Investigative Post. The shortcomings, first documented by Investigative Post two years ago, are again open to question following the fatal shooting of Rafael “Pito” Rivera, 32, by a police officer last week. Video tape shows Rivera was running away from police when he was shot three times, including once in the back. No gun is readily visible on Rivera in the video, although police maintain he was in possession of a handgun and posed[...]

Posted 6 years ago