WHITE PLAINS – William Wagstaff III, the attorney who sued the City of Poughkeepsie police department for allegedly using excessive force on two teenage girls, is seeking the Democratic party endorsement to run for the Westchester District Attorney position, currently held by Democrat Miriam Rocah. District Attorney Rocah, also a Democrat, is in her first term as DA and recently announced that she will not seek re-election.
Wagstaff is a lifelong Democrat. In his campaign announcement, the Mount Vernon native said, “Westchester needs a District Attorney who will prioritize protecting our communities and standing up for victims, while at the same time recognizing that our system does not always lead to just outcomes. I bring a unique background and perspective that I believe would make me the kind of District Attorney that Westchester needs at this moment.” If successful in the election, Wagstaff would be the first black person to hold the position, he noted.
In addition to the Poughkeepsie case, Wagstaff has handled other high-profile civil rights cases including representing a Hudson Valley Chapter of Black Lives Matter and its members who were allegedly victims of illegal police surveillance and recently settled a suit against the City of New York for $2.25 million for the death of a Riker’s Island detainee held in solitary confinement.
“As District Attorney, I will make Westchester County safer with integrity through the implementation of data-driven solutions for addressing gun violence, hate crimes, domestic violence, and property crime,” he said.
Wagstaff has served as the City of Mount Vernon’s Special Prosecutor for Police Discipline. In that role, he has held bad actors accountable but says he also supported law enforcement, recognizing that ensuring police are treated fairly is equally essential. In addition to serving as Special Prosecutor, William serves as Special Counsel to Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard and as chairman of her Judicial Appointment Committee.
“My steadfast commitment to social justice and proven ability to deliver real results instead of rhetoric will make the District Attorney’s office a vehicle for the impactful change we need,” Wagstaff says.
He is a Pace Law School graduate and has his MBA from Fordham Business School. He is raising two kids with his wife Christina.
