Rikers Island Guard Charged In Connection With Hot Cell Death Of Inmate
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A Rikers Island guard has been arrested in connection with the death of a homeless veteran who was found in a 101-degree jail cell earlier this year.
New York City Department of Correction Officer Carol Lackner was charged Monday for allegedly falsifying records to make it appear she had completed visual checks of inmates in a mental health housing area at the Anna M. Kross Center on Rikers Island.
Former U.S. Marine Jerome Murdough, 56, was supposed to be checked on every 15 minutes.
Rikers Island Guard Charged In Connection With Hot Cell Death Of Inmate
But, according to a Department of Investigation report, Lackner did not perform those checks and left her shift before her relief had arrived.
Murdough was found slumped at the foot of his bed with a pool of vomit and blood on the floor on Feb. 15 with an internal body temperature of 103 degrees.
Rikers Island Guard Charged In Connection With Hot Cell Death Of Inmate
The Associated Press was first to report on suspicions of Murdough's death. He died a week after he was sent to Rikers on a misdemeanor trespassing arrest after being unable to pay $2,500 bail. An official, speaking to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the official wasn't permitted to discuss the case, said at the time Murdough "basically baked to death."
He had suffered from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, according to his family, and was on psychotropic drugs that experts say make people on them more sensitive to heat.
The medical examiner ruled the death was caused by hyperthermia due to environmental exposure to heat. His medication also played a role. The death was ruled accidental.
Lackner was initially placed on modified duty, removing her from contact with inmates. Following her arrest on Monday, the DOC said she has been suspended.
Department of Correction Commissioner Joseph Ponte called Murdough's death "a tragedy."
"The safety of staff and inmates in the jail system is my top priority. As part of meaningful reform at the Department of Correction, we are doing everything possible to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again," the commissioner said.
Lackner's arrest comes amid an ongoing investigation by DOI into illegal activity at Rikers Island, which has already resulted in the arrests of 11 correction officers, supervisors and other staff that work in city jails.
"Fabricating documents and covering up misconduct are serious crimes that foster the broader problems of violence, contraband smuggling, and security breaches at the City jails," DOI Commissioner Mark Peters said. "DOI's recommendations have already helped bring about significant changes in security and screening and we continue to work with Commissioner Ponte to come up with workable solutions."
In October, Murdough's mother reached a $2.25 million settlement with New York City. The city did not admit liability as part of the settlement.
Lackner was charged with falsifying business records and official misconduct. If convicted, she faces up to four years in prison.
Check Out These Other Stories From CBSNewYork.com:
(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
