Attorney General James Clears Officer in Haight’s Death, But BWC Controversy Persists

New York – The Office of Special Investigation (OSI) under Attorney General Letitia James today released its findings on the tragic death of Lisa Haight, who died following an encounter with the Town of Hamburg Police Department. Despite a thorough investigation that included civilian witness interviews and legal analysis, OSI concluded that a prosecutor could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the officer’s actions were unjustified.

Lisa Haight was aboard a transportation service van when she stabbed another passenger. After being left on I-90, she was later reported to be trying to break into a house. Officers responding to this call encountered Haight in a bathtub, cutting herself with a steak knife before lunging at them with what appeared to be a utility knife. An officer discharged his weapon in self-defense.

Under New York law, an officer is allowed to use deadly force if they reasonably believe it’s necessary to defend against the use of deadly physical force. The OSI determined that given the circumstances and Haight’s previous actions with the steak knife, the officer’s belief was not objectively unreasonable, even if the recovered object was a flashlight rather than a knife.

Despite OSI’s findings clearing the officer, the lack of body-worn cameras (BWCs) at the time of the incident remains a point of contention. The Hamburg Police Department has since equipped its officers with BWCs and trained them in their use. However, OSI continues to advocate for state legislation requiring all departments to outfit officers with BWCs and dashboard cameras.

The death of Lisa Haight has once again highlighted the ongoing debate over police equipment and procedures, particularly in relation to officer safety and public oversight.

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