Statement Of U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara On The Conviction Of Former Rikers Island Correction Officer Brian Coll
Former Rikers Island correction officer Brian Coll was convicted of federal civil rights violations and obstruction of justice for fatally beating restrained inmate Ronald Spear by kicking him in the head and lying to investigators, affirming that constitutional protections extend into prisons.
Brian Coll, a former correction officer at Rikers Island, was convicted by a unanimous federal jury for violating the civil rights of 52-year-old inmate Ronald Spear by repeatedly kicking him in the head while he was restrained, leading to his death. Coll also obstructed justice by lying to investigators and telling Spear before he died, 'Don’t forget who did this to you.' The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York prosecuted him on charges of civil rights abuse under color of law and obstruction, with no monetary fine cited, as the case centered on accountability for lethal misconduct and systemic prison abuse.
Former Rikers Island correction officer Brian Coll was convicted by a unanimous federal jury of federal civil rights violations and obstruction of justice for the brutal beating death of 52-year-old inmate Ronald Spear. Evidence presented at trial showed that Coll repeatedly kicked Spear in the head while he was restrained and defenseless, delivering a fatal assault and telling him before he died, 'Don’t forget who did this to you.' Coll then lied to FBI investigators in an attempt to cover up the crime, violating Spear’s constitutional rights under color of law. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York led the prosecution, emphasizing that constitutional protections apply even within prison walls. Though no monetary penalties were specified, the case was framed as a landmark affirmation of accountability for correctional officer misconduct. The conviction sent a strong message against systemic abuse at Rikers Island and demonstrated the federal government’s commitment to enforcing civil rights in custodial settings. The jury’s unanimous verdict underscored the gravity of Coll’s actions and the importance of justice for vulnerable inmates.
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- person brian coll
- agency fbi investigators and career prosecutors
- U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara Released Statement On The Conviction Of Former Rikers Island Correction Officer Brian Coll
- Jury Affirmed That The Protections Of The U.S. Constitution Extend Into The Walls Of Our Prisons, Including Rikers Island
- Brian Coll Convicted Of Serious Federal Crimes
- Brian Coll Beat 52-Year-Old Ronald Spear, A Sickly Rikers Inmate
- Brian Coll Killed Spear By Repeatedly Kicking Him In The Head As He Lay Restrained On The Ground
- Brian Coll Told Spear Not To Forget Who Did This To Him
- FBI Investigators And Career Prosecutors Did Not Forget The Case
- Jury Did Not Forget The Case
Press Release Statement Of U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara On The Conviction Of Former Rikers Island Correction Officer Brian Coll Thursday, December 15, 2016 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York “Today, a unanimous jury in Manhattan federal court affirmed that the protections of the U.S. Constitution extend into the walls of our prisons, including Rikers Island. For his brutal and heartless beating of 52-year-old Ronald Spear, a sickly Rikers inmate, and his lies to cover it up, Brian Coll now stands convicted of serious federal crimes. As the evidence at trial established, Coll killed Spear by repeatedly kicking him in the head as he lay restrained on the ground, telling him before he died not to forget who did this to him. The FBI investigators and career prosecutors on this case did not forget. And today, neither did the jury.” Updated December 15, 2016 Topics Civil Rights Violent Crime Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 16-339
Press Release Statement Of U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara On The Conviction Of Former Rikers Island Correction Officer Brian Coll Thursday, December 15, 2016 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York “Today, a unanimous jury in Manhattan federal court affirmed that the protections of the U.S. Constitution extend into the walls of our prisons, including Rikers Island. For his brutal and heartless beating of 52-year-old Ronald Spear, a sickly Rikers inmate, and his lies to cover it up, Brian Coll now stands convicted of serious federal crimes. As the evidence at trial established, Coll killed Spear by repeatedly kicking him in the head as he lay restrained on the ground, telling him before he died not to forget who did this to him. The FBI investigators and career prosecutors on this case did not forget. And today, neither did the jury.” Updated December 15, 2016 Topics Civil Rights Violent Crime Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 16-339