Associated Press
NEW YORK — A former New York City jail guard faces up to life in prison after federal prosecutors upgraded charges against him in the 2012 Rikers Island beating death of an inmate.
In court papers filed in Manhattan federal court Tuesday, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said an autopsy found Brian Coll kicked inmate Ronald Spear repeatedly in the head resulting in his death.
The 45-year-old Coll and a colleague were arrested in June. A third guard has pleaded guilty. They’ve also been charged with lying to investigators about what happened.
Spear had end-stage renal disease and was being held on a burglary charge. The city settled a lawsuit over his death for $2.75 million.
A lawyer for Coll and a spokesman for his union didn’t immediately return messages seeking comment.