UPDATE: Attorney General Takes on Case of Woman Dead in Mount Vernon Police Custody

UPDATE: The Westchester District Attorney’s Office issued this statement:

“The Governor has expanded Executive Order 147 to include an investigation into any unlawful acts or omissions in connection with the death of Raynette Turner on July 27, 2015. We will work with the AG and his staff to ensure a smooth transition of this matter. From the outset the AG has been apprised of and fully briefed on the status of the investigation and going forward we will be available to assist the AG as appropriate.”

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Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman issued the following statement today on the death of Raynette Turner:

“My office’s Special Investigations and Prosecutions Unit will investigate the death of Raynette Turner, consistent with Executive Order No. 147 and a conforming order to be issued by the Governor at my request.”

View Executive Order No. 147 here.

Schneiderman announced July 29 that his office had started a probe into Turner’s death while in a holding cell at the Mount Vernon police department, to determine whether a full investigation into the death is necessary.

Raynette Turner, 42, was under arrest for shoplifting and had been there for a couple of days awaiting arraignment. Police said she had had bariatric surgery and had a history of hypertension.

The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office is also assisting the Mount Vernon Police in their investigation.

She was found unresponsive while awaiting arraignment for Petty Larceny, said spokesman Lucian Chalfen.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed the executive order giving the AG the power to act as a special prosecutor in cases involving civilians and police on July 8.

Cuomo said this in response to Schneiderman’s announcement:

“Today, the Attorney General informed my office that he intends to investigate and, if necessary, prosecute any unlawful acts arising from the death of Raynette Turner, who died last week while in the custody of the Mount Vernon Police Department.

“Ms. Turner’s death is a tragedy for her loved ones, and it raises questions not just from her family, but from her neighbors, elected officials, community members and the media – questions that deserve answers. This kind of situation is the reason that I signed Executive Order 147 last month, because the justice system must have the trust of our communities. With the Attorney General as special prosecutor leading an independent investigation, I believe that we can begin to restore trust, eliminate any perceived conflicts of interest, and let the community know, once and for all, that justice truly is blind.”