New York City says it has agreed to pay $2.75 million to settle a lawsuit stemming from the December 2012 beating death of a Rikers Island inmate.
The Law Department's chief of special federal litigation said Monday that Ronald Spear's case was tragic. Muriel Goode-Trufant says it's hoped that the resolution "brings some small measure of closure for the family."
Attorneys for Spear say the 52-year-old inmate was kicked in the face and head by multiple correction officers. The medical examiner ruled it a homicide, but Bronx prosecutors determined there wasn't enough evidence for criminal charges.
Spear had alleged he had trouble receiving treatment for kidney disease. He had claimed jail guards retaliated against him for contacting lawyers about his medical care.
The New York Times first reported the settlement.
© Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.