A Schuyler County grand jury is investigating circumstances surrounding the death of a Watertown firefighter recruit while in training at New York’s State Fire Academy.
Firefighter Peyton Morse, 21, died after a March 3, 2021 incident at the New York State Fire Academy in Montour Falls. Morse died while participating in mask confidence training.
His family and public officials have struggled to understand what led to his death. Others have charged that the academy exceeded the conditions necessary for training and pushed trainees to their breaking point, WWNY Channel 7 has reported.
The New York Attorney General declined to investigate the death because it said such an investigation would pose a conflict of interest if it had to defend the academy against charges at a later time.
This new investigation involves a county grand jury. Watertown Fire Chief Matt Timerman and Peyton’s father Dave both told Channel 7 that they received subpoenas to testify in the grand jury investigation.
For more about the case, watch this compilation of Channel 7 reports on the death.
The fact that a grand jury is taking testimony suggests that criminal charges are being considered.
Posted by 7 News on Wednesday, August 17, 2022
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