Prior to any investigation, the Troy Police Department immediately rallies behind Sergeant French. Troy Police Chief John Tedesco, at a press conference the day after the shooting, publicly states: “At this juncture in the investigation while it’s still ongoing, it would appear that the actions of Sergeant French are certainly in line with the law, department policy, and his training, and we are fully supporting the sergeant and his actions.”
District Attorney Joel Abelove tells the press, incorrectly and deliberately, that the NY State Attorney General’s Office would not be getting involved despite the fact that the Attorney General’s office had investigators present beginning hours after the shooting occurred. Executive Order 147, signed by Governor Cuomo in 2015, appoints the NY State Attorney General as Special Prosecutor in cases where law enforcement officers are involved in the death of a civilian.
Abelove’s office is already attempting to block the Attorney General’s office from taking over jurisdiction in the case.