Rikers capt. guilty in inmate death
A former Rikers Island jail captain was convicted Wednesday of denying medical attention to an inmate who died after swallowing a toxic ball of soap, and now faces up to 10 years in prison himself.
Terrence Pendergrass, 50, of Howard Beach, Queens, remained silent with his head down as a Manhattan federal jury issued the verdict holding him accountable for the August 2012 death of mentally ill inmate Jason Echevarria, 25.
The jury came to its decision after less than a day of deliberations. Pendergrass afterward walked over to Echevarria’s father, and they had a brief, private conversation.
Nearby, some of Pendergrass’ family and friends cried over the verdict.
“It’s a sad ending,” Echevarria’s father, Ray, 68, told reporters. “I can’t bring my son back. Nobody wins and nobody loses, but [Pendergrass] is going to jail now . . . I think he could have done more for my son.”
Echevarria’s younger brother, Bobby, 26, said he hopes the verdict sends a clear message that reform is needed to change prisoner conditions at Rikers Island.
“It broke us,” Bobby Echevarria said. “Yeah, he wasn’t perfect. He had issues, but at the same time, he was sick, and to deny him his rights when all [Pendergrass] had to [do] was make a phone call for help. [Pendergrass] didn’t do that, so he is being punished.”
Pendergrass’ lawyer, Sam Braverman, said his client will appeal the verdict, adding he feels Pendergrass was wrongfully singled out for a longstanding problem of systematic failure at Rikers.