Body Cam Footage Released In Probe Of Man’s LI Death: NY AG

WYANDANCH, NY — Police body camera footage capturing the moments leading up to a man's death last year has been released by the Office of Special Investigations of New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Henry Sanders died on Aug. 1, 2021, after police responded to multiple 911 calls reporting that he was possibly intoxicated and banging on a business window on Merritt Avenue in Wyandanch, Suffolk County police said.

Police said that upon arrival, they found Sanders naked from his waist down and acting belligerent. Police said that after they subdued and handcuffed him, he became unresponsive and rescue personnel performed CPR on him.

Sanders was then transported to Good Samaritan University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

On Thursday, OSI released footage from body-worn cameras that her office obtained as part of its ongoing investigation into Sanders' death. The footage shows two different perspectives from body cameras worn by officers Maniscalco and Massura.

According to James' office, the release of the footage follows her directive that camera footage obtained by her office during an OSI investigation be released to the public to increase transparency and strengthen public trust in these matters.

In a statement, OSI said that pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, the office assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission.

According to the OSI, under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated and if OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.