Guard Charged With Beating Inmate to Death Collected Comp Benefits

Wednesday, December 7, 2016 | 0

A former Rikers Island prison guard collected $10,000 in workers’ compensation benefits for an injury he suffered while allegedly beating an inmate to death, the New York Daily News reported.

Brian Coll, 46, faces federal civil rights charges in the Dec. 19, 2012, death of 52-year-old inmate Ronald Spear, who had diabetes and end-stage renal disease, and had asked to see an infirmary doctor. Coll refused his request, triggering an altercation that ended with two guards allegedly holding Spear down as Coll kicked and pounded the man's head on the ground until he died, according to court records cited by the newspaper.

Coll maintains his innocence and claims self defense.

Corrections officer Byron Taylor faces charges related to an alleged coverup of the incident. Corrections officer Anthony Torres testified against Coll on Monday, the newspaper reported.