Family of acquitted man files civil rights lawsuit

<p>The family of a man acquitted of murder charges is filing a federal lawsuit against the city of Mount Vernon, its police department and Westchester County prosecutors, accusing the parties of violating his civil rights by prosecuting him despite being aware of his innocence.&nbsp;</p>

News 12 Staff

May 31, 2017, 8:45 PM

Updated 2,514 days ago

Share:

The family of a man acquitted of murder charges is filing a federal lawsuit against the city of Mount Vernon, its police department and Westchester County prosecutors, accusing the parties of violating his civil rights by prosecuting him despite being aware of his innocence.
In 2016, police arrested Rahsi McClean, 27, five years after the shooting death of Gloria Nartley on South 12th Avenue. She was walking home when a stray bullet struck her in the head, according to investigators.
"They arrested my client without any probable cause," his lawyer says. "They had witnesses who lied, and they know they lied."
McClean's lawyers and relatives say investigators knew he was innocent all along and pressed charges anyway.
"I want to see changes in the justice system, because black men go through this every day," says Susan McClean.
Mount Vernon police had acknowledged mistakes in the case but maintain that the evidence points toward McClean as the shooter.
Deputy Chief Roy Hastings says the department will respect the jury's verdict, but he denies that the charges were trumped up.
"He beat the case on a technicality," Hastings says.
News 12 has recently updated to a brand new version of our iOS and Android apps. If you don't have auto updates enabled on your devices, head to the App Store or Google Play Store to update to the latest version. This will ensure you keep getting up-to-date local news, traffic and weather information.


More from News 12
1:40
Preliminary report uncovers over 100 potential unmarked burials at historic Rye cemetery

Preliminary report uncovers over 100 potential unmarked burials at historic Rye cemetery

2:10
Scattered showers for Friday throughout the Hudson Valley before dry, breezy Saturday

Scattered showers for Friday throughout the Hudson Valley before dry, breezy Saturday

0:12
Police: Woman hurt in Yonkers stabbing

Police: Woman hurt in Yonkers stabbing

0:43
City of Yonkers to run Nepperhan Community Center following financial mismanagement report

City of Yonkers to run Nepperhan Community Center following financial mismanagement report

0:56
Retail prevention plan to include harsher penalties, additional patrols

Retail prevention plan to include harsher penalties, additional patrols

1:47
'Evening in Good Taste' helps feed hungry in Westchester County

'Evening in Good Taste' helps feed hungry in Westchester County

0:45
Authorities: Mahopac man captured sexually explicit images of children with hidden camera

Authorities: Mahopac man captured sexually explicit images of children with hidden camera

0:30
Hearing for New City stabbing suspect rescheduled for next week

Hearing for New City stabbing suspect rescheduled for next week

0:53
Carmel School District closes in on budget agreement following months of debates

Carmel School District closes in on budget agreement following months of debates

0:44
Greenburgh's ex-Parks and Recreation commissioner honored with renaming of multipurpose center

Greenburgh's ex-Parks and Recreation commissioner honored with renaming of multipurpose center

0:37
Virginia man was sentenced to 20 years to life in fatal 2021 shooting of New Rochelle cab driver

Virginia man was sentenced to 20 years to life in fatal 2021 shooting of New Rochelle cab driver

0:34
Westchester DA: Yonkers man sentenced 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison for fatal June 2023 hit-and-run

Westchester DA: Yonkers man sentenced 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison for fatal June 2023 hit-and-run

0:28
White Plains police: Teenager arrested in connection to stabbing of 17-year-old outside gas station

White Plains police: Teenager arrested in connection to stabbing of 17-year-old outside gas station

1:54
Middletown couple fight through lawsuits, zoning problems to open New Paltz cannabis dispensary

Middletown couple fight through lawsuits, zoning problems to open New Paltz cannabis dispensary

0:41
State budget proposal would consolidate Medicaid program used in hiring home health aide

State budget proposal would consolidate Medicaid program used in hiring home health aide

1:35
Double Up Food Bucks program comes to Yonkers market

Double Up Food Bucks program comes to Yonkers market

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

0:23
Ford recalls over 456,000 Bronco Sport and Maverick cars due to loss of drive power risk

Ford recalls over 456,000 Bronco Sport and Maverick cars due to loss of drive power risk

1:44
Discover a Gothic Revival masterpiece of art and architecture at Lyndhurst Mansion

Discover a Gothic Revival masterpiece of art and architecture at Lyndhurst Mansion

0:51
Save money while helping the planet with these 12 energy-efficient tips

Save money while helping the planet with these 12 energy-efficient tips