No criminal charges pursued against Otsego officer, following fatal police encounter in 2021, says officials

UNADILLA, N.Y. (WBNG) -- New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigations released its report on the death of a man who died following an encounter with the NYSP in Otsego County in 2021.

On the evening of December 22, a trooper responded to a call reporting a suicidal individual at an apartment in Unadilla. When the trooper arrived, he saw Mark Beilby Jr. holding a knife to his chest in the kitchen.

The trooper spoke to Beilby and tried to persuade him to drop the knife. Officials said Beilby refused, threw kitchen knives at the trooper, and the trooper shot Beilby in response.

Beilby was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Troopers recovered two knives at the scene.

After a thorough investigation of Beilby’s death, which included a review of footage from body-worn cameras, legal analysis and interviews, the investigations office concluded that a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the trooper’s actions were justified under New York law. Because of this, criminal charges will not be pursued against the officer.

The Office of Special Investigations stated that officers would benefit from scenario-based de-escalation training that addresses a variety of circumstances.