Crime & Safety

Report: DJ Henry's Parents React to Fanelli Arrest

The then Mount Pleasant lieutenant is already embroiled in the civil lawsuit the Henry family filed following their son's shooting death.

It has been more than three years since Pace University student Danroy "DJ" Henry was shot to death in Thornwood by Pleasantville Police Officer Aaron Hess, but the Easton, MA, parents of Henry have continued to pursue civil lawsuits against multiple municipalities and individuals involved in the shooting and aftermath.

Among those named in the Henrys' lawsuit is Mount Pleasant Police Chief Brian Fanelli, who was a lieutenant in the department at the time of DJ Henry's death.

Yesterday, 54-year-old Fanelli was arrested in his Mahopac home and charged with possession of more than 100 pieces of child pornography.

"We already had questions about then Lieutenant Fanelli's character," Danroy Henry Sr. told Boston-based network WCVB.

According to Angella Henry, "He was already caught in several lies...so we just thought for sure he would not become police chief."

Supporters of the Henry family have also taken to a Facebook page titled "Justice for DJ Henry" to write about Fanelli's arrest.

Last year, The Henrys named Fanelli among the department officers who allegedly were involved in a cover-up following their son's death.

Other parties named in the Henrys' civil suit include the Village of Pleasantville and its Police Department and Westchester County's Department of Public Safety.

If convicted on the child pornography charge, Fanelli faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

Note: An arrest does not indicate a conviction.

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