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Rikers Captain Gets Five Years For Denying Dying Prisoner Medical Treatment
By
Nathan Tempey
Published Jun 18, 2015
Modified Apr 10, 2018
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By
Nathan Tempey
Published Jun 18, 2015
Modified Apr 10, 2018
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A judge has sentenced a former prison captain who let a mentally ill inmate die slowly for hours after eating a toxic detergent ball to five years in prison. Former Rikers jailer Terrence Pendergrass did not call a doctor after Jason Echevarria ingested the soap given to him to clean his cell after it flooded with sewage, a decision Manhattan federal Judge Ronnie Abrams excoriated Pendergrass for when announcing the sentence, according to the Daily News.
Mr. Pendergrass, I don't doubt how difficult your job as a correction officer was. But one thing would not have been difficult: to allow Mr. Echevarria to see a doctor. A man died here—a 25-year-old man—because of your indifference and your callousness. As a result of your refusal ... he needlessly suffered for hours as his insides literally burned.
The five-year prison term is twice the guideline-recommended sentence, but half the maximum possible, according to Newsday. A family member told the News he wished that Prendergrass would serve a longer bid.
"He's not a human being. I hope he has a hard time in jail," Ramon Echevarria told the tabloid.
Tagged
civil rights
medical attention
mental illness
prison guards
prisoners rights
Rikers Island
Nathan Tempey
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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