Kenneth Chamberlain, Sr., a 68-year-old African-American Marine veteran, was fatally shot in November by White Plains, NY, after police clad in riot gear with tazers and guns readied, responded to a false alarm from his medical alert pendant. Despite advanced notice from the victim, relatives and medical associates that the alert was triggered in error, White Plains officers broke down Chamberlain’s door, tasered him, and then shot him dead.
Audio of the entire incident was recorded by the medical alert device in Chamberlain’s apartment. Authorities in White Plains have only recently issued an apology and initiated a grand jury as public attention shifts to this matter.
The police officers involved in the slaying of veteran Chamberlain remain on active duty. The police officer who killed Chamberlain argues it was justified, his lawyers said Monday, responding to the disclosure last week that the policeman involved in the November shooting of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. was White Plains Officer Anthony Carelli.
Attorneys Andrew Quinn and John D’Alessandro predicted in an email message that Carelli will be cleared, although his actions may not be “understandable or acceptable to the family members, attorneys and other emissaries of the Chamberlain family.”
Chamberlain’s son has demanded that Carelli stand trial for murder.