Community members rally outside Monroe County DA Sandra Doorley's office over viral traffic stop

13WHAM ABC News

29 Apr 202406:34

Summary

TLDRMonroe County District Attorney Sandra Dorley has issued a pre-recorded apology for her failure to pull over when caught speeding and for her subsequent argument with a Webster police officer. Dorley acknowledges her actions were wrong and has committed to full transparency, taking steps to hold herself accountable. She has referred the matter to a district attorney from another county for review and will self-report to the grievance committee. The incident has sparked public outrage, with some demanding her resignation, while others offer support. Governor Kathy Hochul has referred the matter to the Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct, and State Senator Jeremy Cooney supports a bipartisan investigation. Despite calls for her resignation, Monroe County Republican Chairman Patrick Riley stands behind Dorley, emphasizing her years of service. The community's reaction remains divided, with some advocating for due process and others calling for immediate action.

Takeaways

📣 Sandra D'Orly, the Monroe County District Attorney, has issued a pre-recorded apology for not pulling over when caught speeding and for the subsequent encounter with a Webster Police officer.
🚫 D'Orly acknowledged that she failed to meet the standards she holds herself to and expressed regret for making the police officer's job harder.
🏢 The incident occurred at D'Orly's home and was captured on body camera video, which was later released to the public.
🤔 D'Orly stated that if one of her assistant district attorneys had acted as she did, they would have faced disciplinary action, and she is now imposing discipline on herself.
📜 She has committed to full transparency, referring the matter to a district attorney from another county for review and promising to cooperate with any investigation.
📝 D'Orly intends to self-report the incident to the grievance committee and will undergo ethics training.
🏛 Governor Kathy Hochul referred the matter to the Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct, which has the authority to review and investigate a prosecutor's conduct.
🤝 State Senator Jeremy Cooney supports a bipartisan, fact-based investigation and emphasizes the importance of due process.
👍 Patrick Riley, the Monroe County Republican chairman, expressed full support for D'Orly, stating that everyone has bad days and she has atoned for her mistake.
🚨 Community reactions are mixed, with some demanding D'Orly's resignation and others offering support, following her apology.
📽 The body camera video of the incident has been watched by many, leading to widespread discussion and reaction to D'Orly's behavior and the situation.

Q & A

What prompted Sandra Dorly to issue a pre-recorded apology?
-Sandra Dorly issued a pre-recorded apology following a controversial encounter with Webster Police, where she was accused of failing to pull over when caught speeding.
What disciplinary action did Sandra Dorly take against herself?
-Sandra Dorly expressed commitment to full transparency and imposed discipline on herself. She referred the entire matter to a district attorney from another county for review, self-reported the incident to the grievance committee, and agreed to cooperate with their investigation. Additionally, she committed to taking ethics training to remind herself that professionalism matters.
What authority has been referred to review and investigate Sandra Dorly's conduct?
-The matter has been referred to the commission on prosecutorial conduct, which has the authority to review and investigate prosecutor's conduct.
How did Governor Kathy Hokel respond to the incident?
-Governor Kathy Hokel stated that the matter has been referred to the commission on prosecutorial conduct, indicating a serious approach to addressing the incident.
What action did State Senator Jeremy Cooney support regarding the investigation?
-State Senator Jeremy Cooney supported a bipartisan, fact-based investigation, emphasizing the importance of due process.
What was the reaction of the Monroe County Republican chairman, Patrick Riley, regarding the controversy?
-Patrick Riley stated that nobody is perfect and everyone has a bad day. He expressed full support for Sandra Dorly, stating that she has atoned for her actions and will not be stepping down.
How did community members respond to Sandra Dorly's apology?
-Some community members demonstrated outside Sandra Dorly's office, demanding that she be held accountable for her actions. While some called for her resignation or firing, others expressed support for her, emphasizing her long service and the idea of offering a second chance.
What did State Assemblyman Dean Meeks demand regarding Sandra Dorly's actions?
-State Assemblyman Dean Meeks demanded accountability, calling Sandra Dorly's actions a blatant abuse of power. He advocated for a full investigation of her actions.
How did Lynn Maertz, wife of Fallen RPD officer Anthony Maerowitz, react to the situation?
-Lynn Maertz expressed understanding and empathy towards Sandra Dorly, emphasizing that one bad day should not overshadow her years of service. She refrained from rejoicing in Dorly's downfall.
Where can Sandra Dorly's apology video be found?
-Sandra Dorly's apology video can be found on 13wham.com.

Outlines

00:00

📣 District Attorney Sandra Dorley's Apology and Consequences

Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Dorley has issued a pre-recorded apology for her refusal to pull over when caught speeding and for her subsequent argument with a Webster police officer. Dorley acknowledges her failure to meet the standards she holds herself to and expresses regret. She has not resigned despite calls for her to do so, and instead, she has committed to full transparency and accountability. Dorley has referred the matter to a district attorney from another county for review and intends to self-report the incident to the grievance committee. Additionally, she plans to undergo ethics training. The incident has prompted reactions from various political leaders and community members, with some demanding her resignation and others offering support. The Governor has referred the matter to the commission on prosecutorial conduct, which will investigate and prepare a report on its findings and recommendations.

05:01

👮‍♂️ Community Reactions and Support for DA Dorley

The community's response to District Attorney Sandra Dorley's controversial encounter with the police is mixed. Some community members have gathered in protest outside her office, demanding her resignation or firing, while others have shown support for her. State assemblyman Dean Meeks, who is among the protesters, has called for a full investigation into Dorley's actions, labeling them a 'blatant abuse of power.' In contrast, Randy Simino, a supporter present at the protest, argues for a second chance for Dorley, urging the public to consider her 33 years of service before making a decision based on one bad day. Lynn Maertz, the wife of a fallen officer, also expressed support for Dorley, asking people to judge her based on her overall contributions rather than a single mistake. The apology video from Dorley can be found on 13wham.com for those interested in viewing her statement.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Apology

An apology is a formal expression of regret or remorse for wrongdoing. In the video, Sandra Dorly, the Monroe County district attorney, issues a pre-recorded apology for her actions of not pulling over when caught speeding and for her subsequent interaction with the police officer. Her apology is a central theme as it signifies her acknowledgment of wrongdoing and an attempt to restore public trust.

💡District Attorney

A district attorney (DA) is a public official who serves as the chief prosecutor for a local government area. In this context, Sandra Dorly is the Monroe County DA, and her actions and their consequences are the main focus of the video. Her position is significant as it represents the highest law enforcement authority within her jurisdiction, and her behavior is under scrutiny for not adhering to the standards expected of her.

💡Speeding

Speeding refers to the act of driving a vehicle at a speed greater than the legal limit. In the video, Sandra Dorly is said to have been caught speeding, which is the initial incident that led to her controversial encounter with the police. This act is significant as it sets the stage for the subsequent events and discussions about her behavior and accountability.

💡Accountability

Accountability is the obligation to report, explain, and be responsible for one's actions. Sandra Dorly expresses her commitment to accountability by referring her actions to another district attorney for review, self-reporting to the grievance committee, and committing to ethics training. The concept of accountability is a key theme in the video as it relates to the public's expectation for the DA to be held to the same standards as any other citizen.

💡Controversy

Controversy refers to a situation that has aroused public debate or disagreement. The video revolves around the controversy involving Sandra Dorly's refusal to pull over for a speeding ticket and her subsequent argument with a police officer. The controversy has sparked discussions about her suitability to continue in her role and has led to public protests and calls for her resignation.

💡Resignation

Resignation is the act of voluntarily leaving a position or office. Calls for Sandra Dorly's resignation are mentioned in the video as a response to her actions. The concept is tied to the broader debate about whether her behavior warrants her stepping down from her position as the district attorney.

💡Transparency

Transparency refers to the quality of being open, honest, and accountable. Sandra Dorly emphasizes her commitment to full transparency by taking steps to hold herself accountable for her actions. Transparency is a key aspect of the narrative as it relates to the public's right to know and the integrity of the legal process.

💡Ethics Training

Ethics training is educational instruction designed to promote awareness and understanding of ethical behavior in professional settings. Sandra Dorly plans to take ethics training as a reminder that professionalism matters. This commitment to training is part of her attempt to demonstrate her understanding of the importance of ethical conduct in her role as a public official.

💡Protest

A protest is a public expression of objection to a policy, decision, or action. The video mentions a protest outside Sandra Dorly's office, where community members are demanding accountability for her actions. The protest is a significant event as it represents the public's reaction to the controversy and their desire for justice or change.

💡Body Camera Video

A body camera video is footage recorded by a wearable camera used by law enforcement officers. The video from the body camera is mentioned as the evidence that captured the encounter between Sandra Dorly and the police officer. This footage is crucial as it provides a visual record of the incident, which has influenced public opinion and the calls for investigation.

💡Due Process

Due process is the legal requirement that all legal proceedings be fair and that one must be given notice and a chance to be heard before being deprived of any rights. State Senator Jeremy Cooney mentions that Sandra Dorly deserves due process, emphasizing the importance of a fair and unbiased investigation into her actions. The concept of due process is central to the video as it underscores the principle of fairness in the legal system.

Highlights

Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Dory apologizes for not pulling over when caught speeding and argues with a Webster police officer.

Sandra Dory admits to failing the public and the standards she holds herself to, expressing her regret in a pre-recorded message.

Dory states she will impose discipline on herself, referring the matter to a district attorney from another county for review.

She commits to full transparency, self-reporting the incident to the grievance committee, and taking ethics training.

The incident was captured on body camera video, sparking widespread reactions.

Governor Kathy Hochul refers the matter to the Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct for investigation.

State Senator Jeremy Cooney supports a bipartisan, fact-based investigation and emphasizes the importance of due process.

Monroe County Republican Chairman Patrick Riley expresses full support for Dory, stating that everyone has bad days.

The Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct will prepare a report with findings and recommendations after its investigation.

Community members demonstrate outside Dory's office, with some demanding her resignation and others showing support.

State assemblyman Dean Meeks calls for accountability and a full investigation into Dory's actions, labeling them as an abuse of power.

Randy Simino, a protester supporting Dory, argues for a second chance and urges consideration of her 33 years of service.

Lynn Maertz, wife of a fallen officer, defends Dory on social media, asking to judge her on her overall contributions, not just this incident.

The apology video from Dory is released and can be found on 13wham.com for public viewing.

13wham.com continues to cover the Sandra Dory controversy with ongoing updates.

Dory's refusal to pull over and subsequent argument with the police officer took place at her home.

Dory acknowledges the difficulty her actions caused for the police officer and expresses remorse for her poor judgment.

The public is divided on Dory's future, with discussions about the District Attorney's next steps and her role in the community.