The Legal Aid Society and Brooklyn Defender Services released the following joint statement in response to the death of a 48-year-old man who was in New York City Police Department (NYPD) custody at Brooklyn Criminal Court when he suffered a medical emergency last month and died at the hospital on Wednesday.

(BROOKLYN, NY) — The Legal Aid Society and Brooklyn Defender Services released the following joint statement in response to the death of a 48-year-old man who was in New York City Police Department (NYPD) custody at Brooklyn Criminal Court when he suffered a medical emergency last month and died at the hospital on Wednesday:

“Our hearts ache for the New Yorker who suffered a medical emergency while in NYPD custody at Brooklyn Criminal Court and later died. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones and await further information about the circumstances surrounding his death.

“His death comes amid longstanding concerns about the treatment of people in NYPD custody and conditions at New York City courthouses. In May, a woman gave birth while in custody at Brooklyn Criminal Court. In March, Vincent Thoms died in NYPD custody while awaiting arraignment, joining the other New Yorkers who have died in or following NYPD custody in recent years, including Christopher Nieves, Saniyah Cheatham, Musa Cetin, and Soso Ramishvili.

“These incidents underscore the urgent need for reform. Last year, we joined fellow public defenders, advocates, and impacted New Yorkers on the steps of City Hall to put forward a 10-point plan to address the crisis of deaths in or following NYPD custody. We again urge the Mamdani Administration to implement these commonsense reforms without delay.”

Read the full press release here.