ATalking History Project

 

The McKay Commission

(New York State Special Commission on Attica) Hearings


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Commission Sessions and Summaries

New York City Hearings ~ April 24, 1972 (Morning)

PDF files:   part 1   part 2

Summaries and Witnesses:

Part 1: New York City Public Hearings, pages 1278-1355. Lieutenant Robert Curtis, a corrections officer at Attica, testifies to the commission. Curtis starts his testimony with events on Thursday September 8th in the “yard” where Lieutenant Marconi was having difficulties with an inmate. Curtis explains how unique this incident was, and he talks about the process of taking one of the inmates to “HBZ.” Curtis relates the dangerous atmosphere that pervaded on Thursday night, and he discusses what actions were taken by the officers to ensure their safety for Friday morning. Curtis relates how he was assaulted by the inmates and how the inmates eventually took him hostage.

Part 2: New York City Public Hearings, pages 1355-1386. Captain Frank Wald, a retired corrections officer from Attica, testifies about his experiences during the events of September 1971. Wald details what happened after breakfast Friday morning just before the inmates took over the prison and took him hostage.

New York City Hearings ~ April 24, 1972 (Afternoon)

PDF files:   part 1   part 2

Summaries and Witnesses:

Part 1: New York City Public Hearings, pages 1387-1455. Frank Wald continues his testimony to the commission about his time spent in the Attica prison yard. Wald narrates the process of the state authorities storming he prison. Mr. Liman asks Mrs. Wald questions about her husband being taken hostage. She talks about the atmosphere outside of Attica prison amongst the authorities and town locals. Francis Huen is recalled as a witness, and he recounts to the commission the events that took place when the state troopers began storming the prison and the eventual surrender by the inmates.

Part 2: New York City Public Hearings, pages 1455-1571. Perry Ford, a prisoner at Attica, tells his experience of the prison being taken over, and he relates the shooting of inmates by state troopers. He describes how he attempted to surrender without being mistaken for resisting the police. Howard Greenfield, a twenty-six year old inmate at Attica, recalls the events starting on September 9th. Greenfield tells the commission that he had little to do with the actual negotiations conducted by the inmates. Greenfield elaborates on the assault and the violent and racist nature of the state police.

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