NEW YORK (AP) - A federal grand jury has indicted a correction supervisor accused of ignoring a dying Rikers Island inmate.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara (buh-RAH’-ruh) in Manhattan on Tuesday announced the indictment of Terrence Pendergrass on a charge of violating the prisoner’s rights.
Pendergrass had been arrested in March.
The inmate was in a mental health unit after suicide attempts. Authorities say that in Aug 2012, two correction officers and a pharmacy technician became concerned because the inmate appeared ill and said he’d swallowed a caustic cleaning agent.
They allege Pendergrass ignored both officers’ attempts to get help for the man.
Pendergrass’ attorney could not be immediately reached for comment.
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