Prude family lawyer reacts to decision not to indict officers

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — News10NBC Chief Investigative Reporter Berkeley Brean was with the attorney for Daniel Prude’s family when the decision not to indict the officers involved in his death was announced Tuesday evening.

Brean was in Don Thompson’s office when the decision was announced by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

When the announcement was over, Brean asked Thompson what he was thinking.

"I was disappointed, obviously, by the results of the Grand Jury proceeding, on behalf of the family," Thompson said. "There was a lot of conversation about beneficial changes to policing in the future in Rochester and statewide. I was thinking as we were listening to that, ‘You know, it’s a shame that this many people have to die for those kinds of changes to be front and center and to be implemented?’"

Thompson filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the city of Rochester on behalf of the Prude family.

Brean also asked him how he thinks Daniel’s brother, Joe Prude, is handling the news.

"I think Joe is probably shocked, and as I assume many civilians are," Thompson said. "You know, how is it that we can watch death on tape for which officers are not held responsible."

Brean asked to speak to Joe Prude. Thompson told him Joe will probably speak soon and that he may be at a rally or protest later Tuesday evening.

The independent City Council investigation looking to see if any city officials violated city policy when it came to Daniel’s death is still ongoing.