Grand Jury clears cop in Bryant’s death

(Newburgh) - Newburgh cops were cleared of any wrongful shooting in the death of Antonio Bryant. Bryant was shot and killed on October 30, 2006 by Newburgh Police near the intersection of Broadway and Dubois Street. Police claimed that Bryant started firing shots at Police Officer Labrada after a routine traffic stop on Vanness Street which led to a shoot-out resulting in Bryant’s death. According to District Attorney Phillips report, Officer Labrada fired no shots which is consistent with witnesses. Witnesses alleged that the vehicle in which Bryant was riding was not stopped by Officer Labrada as alleged, but that the vehicle was in a valid parking spot when Labrada parked in back of it after Bryant had exited the care and was ordered back in by Labrada. Bryant started running and Labrada followed in a foot chase and no shots were fired. Attorney Michael Sussman urged Orange County District Attorney Frank Phillip to request a special prosecutor by the Governor be appointed to preserve the integrity of the investigation by the Grand Jury.

Sussman contends that the prosecutor works very closely with the police and objectivity may be compromised if the case is not assigned to an independent investigator. Lillie Howard, grandmother of Bryant, said, “I’m not surprised with the Grand Jury clearing the cops involved-we expected this outcome. To demonstrate the City Officials and Police Chief’s insensitivity towards our family they held a press conference at the site where Bryant was killed, two days after clearing these cops, announcing the opening of a police sub station, but we will continue to seek the truth and justice in my grandsons death.” Howard added, “We know that the truth has not been told. We have strong evidence of a cover-up.”