Rikers Island Guards Arrested by FBI in Connection with Inmate's Fatal Beating

Federal authorities say the men also tried to cover the incident up.

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Two corrections officers at Rikers Island were arrested by federal officials for allegedly beating an inmate to death, then attempting to cover the incident up. 

The New York Daily News reports that Byron Taylor and Brian Coll were arrested by the FBI this morning in connection with Ronald Spear's fatal 2012 beating: 


Coll repeatedly kicked Spear in the head while Spear was already restrained and while he was lying face-down, prone on the prison floor, a criminal complaint says.


Coll continued to kick Spear in the head even after another correction officer told Coll to stop and attempted to shield Spear’s head from further blows.


Coll then put his face inches away from Spear and said, That’s what you get for fu----- with me, andremember that I’m the one who did this to you.

The Daily News adds that blunt-force trauma stemming from a physical altercation, as well as cardiovascular disease, caused Spear's death. What's more, the medical examiner's office determine that Spear suffered blunt-force trauma to his arms and torso, as well. 

Coll and Taylor have been charged with obstruction of justice and deprivation of rights. According to the Daily News, this comes a year after the Bronx District Attorny's Office neglected to pursue charges against them.

[via New York Daily News]

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