Here we go again, part 2: Ex-DA cleared of misconduct in his handling of a 2016 case

 Now we know why there were protesters in front of Russell Sage College on Thursday afternoon.

Former Rensselaer County District Attorney Joel Abelove, who was voted out of office a couple of years ago in favor of Mary Pat Donnelly, was cleared of charges of official misconduct in relation to his handling of a murder case in 2016.

In that case, Troy police officer Randall French shot & killed Edson Thevenin, an unarmed African-American. According to prosecutors, Abelove rushed the case to a grand jury. French was granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for his testimony, which meant no charges would be brought against the officer, who passed away earlier this year from complications due to coronavirus.

Edit, 12/7/23: Had to remove the video, as WNYT removed it from their archive. In its place is a photo of Edson Thevenin.

Protesters gathered in front of the Rensselaer County Courthouse, and in front of the home of Mayor Patrick Madden later in the day. Thevenin's family has said that they will continue to fight for justice, not just for Thevenin, but for other African-American victims of, we might as well say, poor police judgment.

Sooner, rather than later, Thevenin, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and others will be properly avenged, but the only way that happens is if city governments and police departments get their houses in order, and put justice ahead of office politics.