A new bill has been introduced in response to the tragic death of 23-year-old CVS worker, Edeedson ‘Joshy’ Cine, who was stabbed to death during a botched robbery on Christmas Day. The proposed legislation, known as the Edeedson ‘Joshy’ Cine Transparency Act, aims to address issues surrounding the release of surveillance camera footage to law enforcement without the need for a search warrant or subpoena.
Assemblyman Kwani O’Pharrow, the sponsor of the bill, explained that there were delays in accessing the surveillance video from the crime scene, which hindered the investigation into Cine’s murder. According to O’Pharrow, it took law enforcement at least 18 hours to obtain the video footage, potentially allowing the perpetrator to evade capture or commit another crime.
The bill, which is currently under review in committee, calls for businesses to release surveillance footage to police promptly and without the need for a warrant. Under the proposed legislation, businesses could face fines of $100,000 for each violation and potential civil repercussions for failing to comply.
While the bill does not currently specify a time frame for businesses to turn over video evidence, it does outline exemptions and a 24-hour window for cooperation. Businesses would be allowed to have their attorneys review the footage before it is released, taking into account privacy and competitive business concerns.
Cine was working on Christmas Day to allow a coworker to spend time with their family when he was fatally stabbed by John Pillaccio, who has been charged with murder. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina criticized CVS for impeding the investigation by delaying the release of the surveillance footage.
The Cine family, who could not be reached for comment during the funeral services, has expressed support for the proposed legislation. O’Pharrow stated that he had consulted with Cine’s parents and siblings, who are in favor of the bill.
A spokesperson for CVS defended the store’s handling of the video footage, stating that they had provided the footage to police the day after the murder. The spokesperson emphasized that CVS had worked diligently to gather and package over 24 hours of video footage as requested by law enforcement.
The Edeedson ‘Joshy’ Cine Transparency Act seeks to address the challenges faced by law enforcement in accessing surveillance footage promptly, in order to prevent delays in investigations and ensure justice for victims of crime.
