New York Attorney General Letitia James has made public the body-worn camera recordings from an ongoing investigation into the death of Matthew Brown, a man who died after an encounter with the New York State Police in Oneida County. The footage, shared by the Attorney General's Office, captures the events surrounding the attempt to take Brown into custody on the night of March 24, which resulted in his death the following day. The dissemination of these recordings adheres to James' commitment to enhance transparency and bolster public trust amidst these grave matters.
The incident unfolded late at night when NYSP troopers responded to a 911 call from a residence in Barneveld. What began as a conversation with Mr. Brown quickly escalated into a physical confrontation as troopers attempted to detain him for a mental health assessment. According to a press release from the Office of the New York State Attorney General, Brown became unresponsive before the ambulance—summoned by the officers—could provide aid. He was pronounced dead in the early hours of March 25 at a local hospital.
The Attorney General's Office underscored that the release of these videos is not to suggest any conclusions regarding potential criminal charges or the guilt of any individuals involved. It is purely a step toward clearer public knowledge in accordance with New York State law. This law, detailed in Executive Law Section 70-b, mandates that the Office of Special Investigation (OSI) look into incidents where an officer's action or omission may have resulted in a death, whether the decedent was armed or unarmed, and whether the officer was on duty or not.
The investigation is still in process, with the OSI tasked to fully assess and explore the circumstances that culminated in Brown's death.
