Local DA Receives Complaint Regarding Investigation Of Brutal Beating

The official complaint that Professor David Keys filed in regards to the savage beating of Chris Rigsbee and his girlfriend last November in Plattsburgh City has been referred to Andrew Wylie, Clinton County DA.

Keys, formerly of PSUC, now teaches criminology at New Mexico State University, Las Cruces. Disturbed by what he had heard about the apparent lack of action in the Rigsbee case, he submitted an official complaint form via the web to the New York State Attorney General's Office, the Criminal Investigation Division. That complaint was passed along to the Public Integrity Bureau, an unit in the AG's department that investigates allegations of government fraud, corruption, and abuse of authority on both state and local levels.

Early in the morning on November 19th, 2010 Christopher Rigsbee and his girlfriend were walking along on a sidewalk on Broad Street when some men on a front porch started to verbally harass the couple. Christopher didn't ignore the insults, he responded verbally, and the situation quickly escalated into violence on the part of the harassers. Christopher was suddenly attacked, kicked in the head, three teeth knocked out. The assault was so brutal that gravel had to be removed from his gums by a dentist. His girlfriend was also punched.

The couple went to a nearby friend's house and the police were called. There was no long period between the attack and the report. Christopher and his mother, Samantha Rigsbee, were hoping for a resolution to the case. After he recovered enough from the assault, Christopher held a public rally to make the community aware that such violence does occur in Plattsburgh.

After his rally drew media attention, Christopher was asked by the Plattsburgh Police Department not to hold a second one. The detectives, said Christopher, told him that such a public demonstration might affect their investigation.

Time passed and nothing was heard from the Plattsburgh PD. Christopher and his mother had to keep contacting the PPD to see if the case was progressing. So far no updates have been given by the PPD; no arrests have been announced. Christopher and Samantha Rigsbee are upset by the apparent lack of action almost seven months later.

David Keys recently received a copy of the letter from the PIB informing DA Wylie that the matter was being referred to his office. Oddly, the writer of the letter is only identified as Public Integrity Bureau, the signature just the initials P.I.B. The letter, dated June 1, 2011, reads:

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Dear District Attorney Wylie,

The attached correspondence was received by the Attorney General's Office. After an initial review of the documents, we have determined that the issues mentioned pertain to your office. Accordingly, we are referring this material to you for whatever action you deem appropriate.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter.

Very Truly Yours,

P.I.B.

Public Integrity Bureau

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More details will follow as this story progresses.