On May 7, 2025, ECBAWM filed a petition in New York State Supreme Court on behalf of Laurie Willis, the mother of Ameek Nixson seeking court-ordered pre-action discovery and preservation of evidence following the highly suspicious death of her son while in the custody of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision at Fishkill Correctional Facility.

Nixson’s death—ruled a homicide by the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office—occurred after a reported altercation with corrections officers and bears disturbing similarities to other high-profile cases, including the deaths of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi, in which incarcerated people died following brutal uses of force by guards.

“This petition is a crucial first step in uncovering the truth about whether corrections officers played a direct role in Ameek Nixson’s death—and in holding anyone involved fully accountable,” said ECBAWM Partner Debbie Greenberger. “To date, Mr. Nixson’s grieving family has received no answers regarding the circumstances of his death, and the complete absence of body-worn camera footage only deepens their concerns and raises serious questions. 

The family of Ameek Nixson is represented by ECAWM Partner, Debbie Greenberger and ECBAWM Associate Laura Kokotailo. 

To read the full press release, click here. 

Press

“Lawsuit: Correction Officers ‘brutally beat’ Ameek Nixson before death,” CBS News Albany

“Albany mother seeks ‘the truth’ on her son’s death at Fishkill prison,” Albany Times Union

“Family seeks evidence in man’s death at Fishkill Correctional Facility,” Spectrum News