Rikers Death investigations
| Tracking # |
FOIL-2023-073-00016 |
| Submitted | Feb. 21, 2023 |
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Communications
From: Wesley Lowery
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law, I hereby request the following records:
All investigative reports and other documents related to deaths at Rikers Island Correction Facility that occurred between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2022
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Wesley Lowery
From: Board Of Correction
Your request FOIL-2023-073-00016 has been successfully submitted to the Board of Correction (BOC).
The details of your request are shown below.
Request Title: Rikers Death investigations
Request Description: To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law, I hereby request the following records:
All investigative reports and other documents related to deaths at Rikers Island Correction Facility that occurred between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2022
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Wesley Lowery
Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
Requester's Contact Information
Name:
Wesley Lowery
Title:
Not provided
Organization:
Not provided
Email:
requests@muckrock.com (mailto:requests@muckrock.com)
Phone Number:
Not provided
Fax Number:
Not provided
Street Address (line 1):
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Street Address (line 2):
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City:
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State:
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Zip Code:
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You can view the request and take any necessary action at the following webpage: https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2023-073-00016. (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2023-073-00016)
From: Board Of Correction
The Board of Correction (BOC) has acknowledged your FOIL request FOIL-2023-073-00016. (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2023-073-00016) You can expect a response on or about Tuesday, May 23, 2023.
Additional Information:
This e-mail is to acknowledge receipt of your request to the NYC Board of Correction, pursuant to New York Public Officers Law § 89(3)(a). By correspondence received February 21, 2023, you requested the following:
“All investigative reports and other documents related to deaths at Rikers Island Correction Facility that occurred between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2022."
We are investigating your request. You can expect a response from us within 60 business days. In order to process your request quicker, please let us know if there are any specific documents you are seeking, for example, 5-day or final reports created by the Board following deaths in custody.
Best,
Melissa Cintron Hernandez
Deputy General Counsel
Please visit FOIL-2023-073-00016 to view additional information and take any necessary action. (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2023-073-00016)
From: Wesley Lowery
I'm seeking final reports. Thank you!
From: Board Of Correction
The Board of Correction (BOC) has responded to your FOIL request FOIL-2023-073-00016 with the following note. (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2023-073-00016)
Wesley Lowery, On February 21, 2023, you requested the following: “All investigative reports and other documents to deaths at Rikers Island Correction Facility that occurred between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2022.”
Your request involves reviewing and redacting voluminous material compromising thousands of documents. In considering a request that is similar to yours, the Supreme Court upheld an agency’s denial, stating that:
“Petitioner's actual demand transcends a normal or routine request by a taxpayer. …[It] would bring in its wake an enormous administrative burden that would interfere with the day-to-day operations of an already heavily burdened bureaucracy.” (Fisher & Fisher v. Davison, Supreme Court, New York Cty., Oct. 6, 1988).
Given our limited staff resources, fulfilling the entirety of your request would bring an enormous administrative burden. However, you may narrow the scope of your request, for example, we can provide you the preliminary or first reports prepared by BOC staff following deaths in custody for each death, which summarizes the documents and information received at that point in time in each investigation. Please let us know within 15 business days. If we do not receive a response, we will deem the request withdrawn, but you’re welcome to resubmit your request at any time. Sincerely,
Brian Gonzalez
Please visit FOIL-2023-073-00016 to view additional information and take any necessary action. (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2023-073-00016)
From: Wesley Lowery
We can begin with the initial/5-day reports, and then based on those perhaps I'll file another request for more. Thank you
From: Board Of Correction
The Board of Correction (BOC) has extended the time to respond to your FOIL request FOIL-2023-073-00016 for the following reasons: (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2023-073-00016) You can expect a response on or about Friday, July 7, 2023.
Additional Information:
We are still reviewing your request.
Please visit FOIL-2023-073-00016 to view additional information and take any necessary action. (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2023-073-00016)
From: Board Of Correction
The Board of Correction (BOC) has extended the time to respond to your FOIL request FOIL-2023-073-00016 for the following reasons: (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2023-073-00016) You can expect a response on or about Friday, August 4, 2023.
Additional Information:
Documents still pending review.
Please visit FOIL-2023-073-00016 to view additional information and take any necessary action. (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2023-073-00016)
From: Board Of Correction
The Board of Correction (BOC) has responded to your FOIL request FOIL-2023-073-00016 with the following file(s). (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2023-073-00016) NOTE: You must be logged in to your OpenRecords account to access the file(s). If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to do so when the link is selected. The file(s) listed below will not be publicly available on the OpenRecords portal.
* 2013-8. CM: 2013_8._Christopher_Montalvo_Investigation_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968395)
* 2014-K.WS: 2014_5._AMKC_inmate_death_Spencer_Wayne_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968396)
* 2016-1.MM: 2016_R-_1._Maria_Marrero_TenYearThematic_proforma_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968397)
* 2018-4.CH: 2018_R-_4._Casey_Holloway_Death_Review_Preliminary_Report__07.17.18_Submitted_to_Board_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968399)
* 2021-11.SK: 2021_R-_11._Stephen_Khadu_Preliminary_Board_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968401)
* 2022-11.RC: 2022_11._Ricardo_Cruciani_Preliminary_Death_Report__Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968402)
* 2022-6.ES: 2022_6._Emanuel_Sullivan_Preliminary_Death_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968403)
* 2018-2.GW: 2018_R-_2._Grant_Swanson_Death_Review_Preliminary_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968404)
* 2020-4.SK: 2020_R-_4._Scott_Kang_Preliminary_Board_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968405)
* 2016-6.ZZ: 2016_R-_6._Zhi_Zhang_TenYearThematic_proforma_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968406)
* 2013-15.BB: 2013_15._Death_of_inmate_Ballard_Bradley_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968407)
* 2022-3.HD: 2022_3._Herman_Diaz_Final_Preliminary_Death_Report__Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968408)
* 2021-8.SG: 2021_R-_8._Segundo_Guallpa_Preliminary_Board_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968409)
* 2014-3.LR: 2014_3._Lightner_Rodney_GRVCDeath_Preliminary_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968410)
* 2013-16.PG: 2013_16.Pagan_GMDC_Death_Package_1_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968411)
* 2016-2.AP: 2016_R-_2._Angel_Perez-_Rios_TenYearThematic_proforma__Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968412)
* 2016-3.OA: 2016_R-_3._Omole_Adedji_TenYearThematic_proforma_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968413)
* 2020-5.HR: 2020_R-_5._Hector_Rodriguez_Preliminary_Board_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968414)
* 2017-4.EL: 2017_R-_4._Eli_Lushki_Death_Review_Preliminary_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968415)
* 2020-2.WA: 2020_R-_2._Walter_Ace_Preliminary_Board_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968416)
* 2021-10.KI: 2021_R-_10._Karim_Isaabdul_Preliminary_Board_Report_final_to_the_Board_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968418)
* 2018-3.RH: 2018_R-_3._Russell_Haynes_PRELIM_REPORT__Sent_to_Board_03.08.18_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968419)
* 2016-12.MA: 2016_R-_12._Martin_Acosta_TenYearThematic_proforma_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968421)
* 2021-4.RB: 2021_R-_4._Richard_Blake_Preliminary_Board_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968422)
* 2020-3.MT: 2020_R-_3._Michael_Tyson_Preliminary_Board_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968423)
* 2016-10.CJ: 2016_R-_10._Clarence_Jones_TenYearThematic_proforma_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968424)
* 2017-2.LC: 2017_R-_2._Luis_Cardona_Death_Review_Evidence_checklist_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968425)
* 2022-4.DC: 2022_4._Dashawn_Carter_Preliminary_Death_Report__Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968426)
* 2017-5.WH: 2017_R-_5._Wayne_Henderson_Death_Review_Preliminary_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968427)
* 2022-7.AC: 2022_7._Anibal_Carrasquillo_Preliminary_Death_Report__Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968428)
* 2022-16.GG: 2022_16._Gilberto_Garcia_Preliminary_Death_Report__Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968429)
* 2021-1.WD: 2021_R-_1._Wilson_Diaz-Guzman_Preliminary_Board_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968430)
* 2015-1.FC: 2015_R-_1._Fabian_Cruz_RNDC_Suicide_Interviews_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968431)
* 2022-10.ML: 2022_10._Michael_Lopez_Preliminary_Death_Report__Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968432)
* 2016-9.CT: 2016_R-_9._Carlos_Tirado_TenYearThematic_proforma_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968433)
* 2016-5.KB: 2016_R-_5._Kareen_Bryant_TenYearThematic_proforma_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968434)
* 2015-8.RS: 2015_R-_8._Randolph_Sparks_Narrative.pdf_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968435)
* 2022-1.TY: 2022_1._Tarz_Youngblood_Preliminary_Death_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968436)
* 2018-7.MJ: 2018_R-_7._Maurice_Johnson_Jr._Death_Review_Preliminary_Report_10.11.18_for_Board_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968437)
* 2021-2.JV: 2021_R-_2._Javier_Velasco_Preliminary_Board_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968438)
* 2022-17.EM: 2022_17._Edgardo_Mejias_Preliminary_Death_Report__Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968439)
* 2022-8. AD: 2022_8._Albert_Drye_Preliminary_Death_Report__Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968440)
* 2022.AB: 2022_Out_of_Custody._Antonio_Bradley_Preliminary_Death_Report__Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968441)
* 2012-14. JE: 2012_14._Jason_Echevarria_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968442)
* 2021-14.WB: 2021_R-_14._William_Brown_Preliminary_Board_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968443)
* 2018-1.JF: 2018_R-_1._Joseph_Foster_Death_Review_Preliminary_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968444)
* 2022-15.ET: 2022_15._Erick_Tavira_Preliminary_Death_Report__Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968445)
* 2013-6.MJ: 2013_6._Johnson_Mark_2_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968446)
* 2016-14.MS: 2016_R-_14._Mark_Serrano_TenYearThematic_proforma_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968447)
* 2021.-13MB: 2021_R-_13._Malcolm_Boatwright_Preliminary_Board_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968448)
* 2022-13.KB: 2022_13._Kevin_Bryan_First_Report_9.19.22_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968449)
* 2021-9.EJ: 2021_R-_9._Esias_Johnson_Preliminary_Report_FINAL_sent_to_the_Board_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968450)
* 2020-1.KD: 2020_R-_1._Kevin_Delrosario_Preliminary_Board_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968451)
* 2016-8.MD: 2016_R-_8._Michael_Deshields_TenYearThematic_proforma_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968452)
* 2021-6.RJ: 2021_R-_6._Robert_Jackson_Preliminary_Board_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968453)
* 2016-4.JP: 2016_R-_4._Jairo_Polanco-Munoz_TenYearThematic_proforma_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968454)
* 2017-3.MB: 2017_R-_3._Mohamed_Bachtobji_TenYearThematic_proforma_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968455)
* 2021-12.VM: 2021_R-_12._Victor_Mercado_Preliminary_Board_Report_-Final_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968456)
* 2021-7.BR: 2021_R-_7._Brandon_Rodriguez_Preliminary_Board_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968457)
* 2021-3.TB: 2021_R-_3._Thomas_Braunson_Preliminary_Board_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968458)
* 2022-9.EM: 2022_9._Elijah_Muhammad_Preliminary_Death_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968459)
* 2021-AS: 2021_R-_Preliminary_Board_Report_-_Anthony_Scott_-_Final_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968460)
* 2021-5.JM: 2021_R-_5._Jose_Mejia_Preliminary_Board_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968461)
* 2016-15.EC: 2016_R-_15._Eugene_Castelle_TenYearThematic_proforma_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968462)
* 2015-6.KD: 2015_R-_6._Kenan_Davis_Adult_Suicide_Preliminary_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968463)
* 2021-CT: 2021_R-_Preliminary_Board_Report_-_Cario_Tomas_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968464)
* 2011-1.JR: 2017_R-_1._Johnson_Richard_Death_Review_Evidence_checklist_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968466)
* 2016-7.KR: 2016_R-_7._Kenny_Ruiz_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968467)
* 2016-13.DW: 2016_R-_13._David_Webb_TenYearThematic_proforma_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968469)
* 2020-6.CC: 2020_R-_6._Christopher_Cruz_Preliminary_Board_Report_-_SENT_TO_BOARD_ON_10.19.2020_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968470)
* 2020-7.RW: 2020_R-_7._Ryan_Wilson_Preliminary_Board_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968471)
* 2022-14.GA: 2022_14._Gregory_Acevedo_Preliminary_Death_Report__Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968472)
* 2013-18.HM: 2013_18._2013_10_14_Horsone_Moore_AMKC_Suicide_Prelim_Rept_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968473)
* 2022-5.MY: 2022_5._Mary_Yehudah_Preliminary_Death_Report__Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968474)
* 2022.RP: 2022_Out_of_Custody_Robert_Pondexter_Preliminary_Death_Report__Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968475)
* 2022-2.GP: 2022_2._George_Pagan_Preliminary_Death_Report__Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968476)
* 2016-11.MQ: 2016_R-_11._Manuel_Quiles_TenYearThematic_proforma_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968477)
* 2019-1.DC: 2019_R-_1._Daniel_Cubilette_aka_Layleen_Polanco_Preliminary_Board_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968479)
* 2013-14.AC: 2013_14._Adaba_Cheely_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968480)
* 2022-12.MN: 2022_12._Michael_Nieves_Preliminary_Death_Report__Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968481)
* 2017-6.SF: 2017_R-_6._Selmin_Feratovic_Death_Review_Preliminary_Report_Redacted.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2968483) Please visit FOIL-2023-073-00016 to view additional information and take any necessary action. (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2023-073-00016) Wesley Lowery,
This is in response to your Freedom of Information Law request to the NYC Board of Correction received February 22, 2023. You requested the following information: “All investigative reports and other documents related to deaths at Rikers Island Correction Facility that occurred between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2022”
On April 12, however, we indicated that your request involved voluminous material comprising thousands of documents. In considering a request that is similar to yours, the Supreme Court upheld an agency’s denial, stating that: "Petitioner's actual demand transcends a normal or routine request by a taxpayer. It violates individual privacy interests of thousands of persons...and would bring in its wake an enormous administrative burden that would interfere with the day-to-day operations of an already heavily burdened bureaucracy" (Fisher & Fisher v. Davison, Supreme Court, New York City., Oct. 6, 1988). We then suggested that you narrow your scope by only requesting the preliminary death reports issued by the Board of Correction for each death. On April 13 th, you agreed by replying “We can begin with the initial/5-day reports, and then based on those perhaps I'll file another request for more.” A diligent search for records responsive to your request located 81 related documents. Some records have been redacted or withheld pursuant to the following laws
Public Officers Law § 87(2)(g)(iii), which exempts from disclosure intra-agency records that are preliminary, and not final agency determinations;
Public Officers Law §87(2)(f), which exempts from disclosure records that could endanger the life or safety of any person.
Public Officers Law §87(2)(b), which exempts from disclosure records that would constitute "an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy”
The preliminary death report has been an evolving document since 2012. For some of those who died in custody, no such report exists, and for others we pulled the closest thing that resembles our current preliminary death report. Please note that some materials within the records have been disclosed because the details were published by the Board on multiple public reports covering deaths in custody, which are available on our website. You may appeal this determination in writing within thirty (30) days by addressing your appeal to Jasmine Georges-Yilla, Record Appeals Officer, New York City Board of Correction, 2 Lafayette Street, Room 1221, New York, NY 10007.
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2018_R-_4._Casey_Holloway_Death_Review_Preliminary_Report__07.17.18_Submitted_to_Board_Redacted
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From: Board Of Correction
The Board of Correction (BOC) has closed your FOIL request FOIL-2023-073-00016 for the following reasons: (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2023-073-00016)
Your request under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) is denied in part and granted in part for the reasons stated below.
Your request was fulfilled in part via Open Records..
You may appeal the decision to deny access to material that was redacted in part or withheld in entirety by contacting the agency's FOIL Appeals Officer: foilappeals@boc.nyc.gov within 30 days. (mailto:foilappeals@boc.nyc.gov?subject=FOIL-2023-073-00016%20-%20Appeal)
Files
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07/20/2023
2020_R-_6._Christopher_Cruz_Preliminary_Board_Report_-_SENT_TO_BOARD_ON_10.19.2020_Redacted
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