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Opinions offered on unsealing Attica riot report

A judge in Buffalo has received letters and legal briefs from a variety of people weighing in

Associated Press

BUFFALO, N.Y. — There are plenty of opinions on whether a New York judge should open two remaining volumes from an investigation into the 1971 Attica prison riot and its aftermath.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman in October asked the state Supreme Court to unseal the documents. A decision is expected later this year.

A judge in Buffalo has received letters and legal briefs from a variety of people weighing in. They include attorney Edward Cosgrove, who represents the wife of the late state police Col. Henry Williams.

Williams, on Gov. Nelson Rockefeller’s orders, gave the command to retake the prison, which resulted in 29inmates and 10 hostages being killed.

Cosgrove opposes releasing the documents, even with names omitted, saying they’d add to misinformation. The state’s archivist favors the release, citing continuing scholarly interest.

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