The Legal Aid Society and Brooklyn Defender Services issued the following joint statement on the passing of a person who languished in New York City Police Department (NYPD) custody at Kings County Criminal Court:

“Earlier today, we were notified that a person, who had been arrested on charges of a low-level crime, passed away in NYPD custody at Kings County Criminal Court. This person, who should have been granted a desk appearance and released based on the offense, languished in pain in custody for three days and was deprived of medical care despite repeated pleas from defense lawyers and other personnel to secure them needed care. This level of indifference is unconscionable.

“The callous disregard that law enforcement continues to show towards New Yorkers is deeply shocking. This latest tragedy follows the deaths of two other New Yorkers this week — one who passed away after being released from Rikers Island, and another who died while in DOC custody. In the last month, five New Yorkers have tragically lost their lives while in the custody of law enforcement.

“We demand an urgent, thorough, and independent investigation into this latest death in custody without delay. With every one of these tragic incidents, the City persists in obstructing access to even the most fundamental details about what happened, denying counsel, the family, and the public the transparency they are owed. This is cruel and entirely unacceptable.

“Moreover, this Administration's relentless push to criminalize poverty through broken windows policing has led to the entanglement of more New Yorkers with the criminal legal system. Today’s tragic loss serves as yet another stark example of how harmful and devastating this approach can be.

“The Legal Aid Society and Brooklyn Defender Services mourn the loss of a loved one by friends, family, and the community — someone whose death seemed entirely avoidable had the NYPD and court personnel heeded the obvious calls for help, as this person was in dire need."

PDF of press release available here.