Black student shot by police in Westchester Co.: Jay-Z, Rihanna want 2010 case reopened
MOUNT PLEASANT, Westchester County (WABC) -- There is a push to reopen the case of a Black college student killed by police in Westchester County a decade ago. Danroy "D.J." Henry was shot and killed outside a restaurant in Mount Pleasant in 2010.
A list of A-listers, including Rihanna and Jay-Z, are asking the Justice Department to reopen the case.
On Instagram, comedienne Amy Schumer posted an illustrated version of the events of October 2010.
Henry, a member of the Pace University football team, was sitting in a car when a fight broke out outside a bar in Thornwood. Responding officers asked him to move his car from the fire lane. Pleasantville Officer Aaron Hess fired through the windshield after he says he was thrown on the hood when Henry tried to speed away.
A Westchester grand jury declined to indict, but because the minutes remain sealed, it's not known how strong a case was presented.
Henry's family says new evidence emerged during depositions in the wrongful death civil case, which was settled for $6 million. A second officer testified he fired at Hess believing he was the aggressor. They also claim Hess' own testimony downplays the threat.
The Department of Justice has previously declined to bring federal civil rights charges.
The Westchester District Attorney's office says it hasn't received any new evidence needed to reopen the case.
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