Jury Selection Set To Begin In Civil Trial For White Plains Man Killed By Police
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Jury selection begins next week in the federal civil rights trial of a 68-year-old African-American Marine Corps veteran who was shot to death in his home by police after they responded to an accidental medical alert.
As WCBS 880's Kelly Waldron reported, Kenneth Chamberlain suffered from emphysema, osteoarthritis, and had a history of mental health issues. On Nov. 19, 2011, he wound up dead after a 90-minute altercation with White Plains police when his medical aid device was accidentally triggered.
A judge ruled that racial epithets heard on audio by police cannot be used at trial – much to the dismay of attorney Randolph McLaughlin, who represents Chamberlain's son.
"The use of the racial slur is a part of the context of this case," McLaughlin said.
Kenneth Chamberlain Jr. said his father posed no danger.
"They will have you believe that my father post the imminent threat to life of wellbeing when they in fact post that imminent threat," he said.
McLaughlin said he is confident that scientific and forensic evidence will tell the truth in this case.
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