In August 2002, members of the Rochester Police Department were called to the Wegmans grocery store located in the Northwest side of the City of Rochester, New York.  Upon their arrival, they found Lawrence Rogers (a black man who had committed no crime) but who was in obvious psychological distress.  What should have been a simple “mental hygiene arrest” quickly escalated into the unnecessary and unjust death of 30-year old, father, Lawrence Rogers. 

Fortunately, even though this brutal attack took place nearly twenty years ago, video surveillance equipment on surrounding buildings preserved every cruel moment of Mr. Rogers’  fateful encounter with the police - including the officer’s knee and full body weight being placed on Mr. Rogers’ neck and several other officers attacking innocent civilians who were simply pleading for the officers to stop their assault on Mr. Rogers.  

Additionally, there is other evidence which reveals just how brutal the attack was on Mr. Rogers including witnesses who can testify that Mr. Rogers, like Mr. Floyd,  repeatedly told the officers that “I can not breath” and that, immediately prior to his death he was “gurgling” for air as objects like pillows were intentionally placed over Mr. Rogers nose and mouth for extended periods of time.  

Despite the horrific and cruel way in which Mr. Rogers died, the District Attorney at the time simply refused to prosecute any of the police officers or civilians involved in Lawrence Rogers' death. Consequently, no one has ever been held accountable for Lawrence Rogers’ unnecessary and untimely death. 

Given the uncanny similarities between the asphyxiation deaths of George Floyd and Lawrence Rogers and the irrefutable  and overwhelming  evidence of intent and/or recklessness on the part of the police and other civilians, we the undersigned believe it is our duty to advocate on behalf of Mr. Rogers, as he can no longer do so for himself. 

This petition calls for the Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley, Rochester Chief of Police LaRon Singletary, and the United States Department of Justice Attorney General William Barr to IMMEDIATELY open up an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Lawrence Rogers’ death and, where appropriate, prosecute persons responsible under N.Y. Penal Law Sec. 125.25 (2) (Murder in the Second Degree). 

We ask that a fully transparent investigation be conducted and that the investigation include, but not be limited to, allegations that persons (including members of the Rochester Police Department and staff members at the Rochester General Hospital)  were intentionally abusive and/or reckless in their encounter with Mr. Rogers.  Because the signatories are aware that there is no Statute of Limitations for murder or for the criminal enforcement of federal civil rights laws, there is no reason why District Attorney Doorley and Attorney General Barr can not still prosecute the persons responsible for Lawrence Roger’s death. 

Indeed, we the undersigned, believe it is our responsibility to hold people in positions of power accountable. Furthermore, we believe that once law enforcement officers (and those who engage in murderous  and other lawless behavior) understand that they will be held accountable for their actions, they will think twice before depriving someone of their liberties or taking lives. These injustices goes well beyond the brutality of Rogers' case. Therefore, we the undersigned demand that district attorneys, law enforcement agencies and private attorneys across the country examine their files and cases to uncover other instances in which citizens are deprived of life or liberty. These cases should be prosecuted. On this, let us stand together!