DA: Rikers Island Correction Officer Ignored Inmate's Fatal Seizure
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A New York City correction officer on Rikers Island is accused of ignoring an inmate having a fatal seizure, prosecutors said.
Wickenson DeMaitre pleaded not guilty Friday to official misconduct, falsifying business records and offering a false instrument for filing charges. His attorney, Noel Munier, did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
The 47-year-old officer was at his post Oct. 1, 2014, at the Anna M. Kross Center when inmate Victor Woods began convulsing, authorities said.
DeMaitre allegedly claimed he notified a medical response team, but prosecutors said a video shows he took no action.
Medical crews arrived later, after another guard summoned them.
The city's Department of Investigation said DeMaitre was fired.
A spokesman for his union did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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