(ORANGE COUNTY, NY) – Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel LLP (ECBAWM) secured a ruling in litigation filed this past May on behalf of Laurie Willis, the mother of Ameek Nixson — a former Albany resident — 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.

The ruling orders the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office to produce and preserve medical records, tissue samples, autopsy photographs, investigative files, and other critical evidence related to Nixson’s death within 30 days. This evidence will aid an independent forensic pathologist in determining who is responsible for Nixson’s death.

“This ruling is a crucial first step in uncovering the truth about whether corrections officers played a direct role in Ameek Nixson’s death,” said Debra Greenberger, Partner at ECBAWM. “The court’s order ensures that key evidence will finally be turned over, giving Mr. Nixson’s grieving family a path toward answers. We are honored to stand with this family in their pursuit of justice and accountability for the young life that was taken from them.”

Background 

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. The petition is a key step in a broader investigation into whether correctional officers fatally assaulted Mr. Nixson.

It is believed that Mr. Nixson was involved in two physical altercations in the hours before his death—one with another incarcerated person and another with corrections officers (COs). The cause of death was cited as cardiac arrest following these altercations.

Multiple witnesses reported that COs used force when breaking up the altercation between Mr. Nixson and another incarcerated individual. After separating the two, the COs slammed Mr. Nixson to the ground, held him down, struck his head with a knee, and slammed him against a counter, according to witnesses.

Mr. Nixson was transported by COs to the prison medical unit, where he was found to be unresponsive. He was then taken by ambulance to Montefiore St. Luke’s Hospital in Newburgh, New York, where he was pronounced dead.

Despite being equipped with body-worn cameras, no COs had their cameras activated during the incident, according to the New York State Police, who investigated the case but did not determine which actions directly led to Nixson’s death.

Press:
“Ameek Nixson’s family discusses latest step forward in fight for justice in his death,” CBS6 Albany
“Court rules in favor of family of Ameek Nixson, all autopsy records to be turned over,” CBS6 Albany