Rikers Island Guards Charged In Death Of Inmate

Two Rikers Island guards have been charged in the beating death of an inmate. 

Guard Brian Coll, and former guard Byron Taylor have been charged in the beating death of inmate Ronald Spear in 2012.

In December of 2012 Coll kicked Spear, while Taylor held him down. The guards then crafted a story of how Spear died. Both men have been arraigned. Prior to being charged, Coll was still a guard, while Taylor had left his position.

Brian Coll has been charged with depriving Spear of his rights, obstruction of justice, filing a false report and conspiracy. Byron Taylor faces conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges, as reported by The Associated Press.

Spear had approached the guards for failure to give him the proper treatment for his kidney disease. Spears’ autopsy shows that he died from blunt force trauma to the torso and arms. New York City settled a lawsuit last year for $2.75 million stemming from the death.