ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Federal prosecutors are filing charges against three people who were part of the protests seen in Rochester over the last week over the death of a man in police custody there.
The U.S. Attorney's office announced Wednesday that two people have been charged with civil disorder for obstructing police officers during Saturday's demonstrations, calling them "bad actors" who ruin things for the peaceful protesters.
A civil disorder charge against a third person was announced on Friday. Kyle Bradley Davis, 32, of Rochester was arrested and charged with civil disorder for allegedly shining a laser pointer at officers during protests on September 8.
Those charges could carry five years in prison, if they're convicted.
On Tuesday, top police leaders in Rochester announced that they are retiring en masse amid criticism of the city’s handling of the the suffocation death of Daniel Prude, Mayor Lovely Warren said Tuesday.
La’Ron Singletary, the city’s police chief, is among those retiring, as is Deputy Chief Joseph M. Morabito and possibly other senior commanders, Warren said.
Warren made the surprise announcement of the retirements at a City Council briefing being held online. Council members had expected the chief to appear in person to discuss ongoing protests over Prude’s death.
Prude, a 41-year-old Black man, died several days after an encounter with police on March 23. Officers who found him running naked down the street put a hood over his head to stop him from spitting, then held him down for about two minutes until he stopped breathing. He died a week later after he was taken off life support.
His brother, Joe Prude, had called 911 seeking help for Daniel Prude’s unusual behavior. He had been taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation earlier that night but was released after a few hours, his brother told officers.
