Carlos Mercado
Carlos Mercado was 45 and diabetic, and he needed insulin. He was brought to Rikers Island in New York City on the evening of August 23, 2013, and died the next morning, August 24, after his condition worsened over more than 14 hours. Surveillance video published by The New York Times showed him walking unsteadily and then collapsing, lying on the floor for three minutes while correction officers stepped over him, according to the report. His sister, Linda Mercado, said he was only asking for his medicine and would still be alive had he received it. Internal city and state investigations found that officers failed to respond to obvious signs he needed medical attention, and the city settled with his family for $1.5 million.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (neglect alleged). The Department of Correction investigation found officers failed to respond to obvious signs he needed medical attention, and Mercado's family's lawsuit says he was left without insulin while he collapsed and lay on the floor for three minutes as correction officers stepped over him.
Reported by: Department of Correction investigation (the agency that held him); internal city and state investigations; his family's lawsuit (family or their lawyers); inmate witnesses; Daily News (reporters); The New York Times (reporters).
Lawsuit: His family sued and the city settled the lawsuit on his behalf for $1.5 million after surveillance video showed him collapsing at Rikers Island while officers stepped over him.
Sources (6)
- An Unanswered Call for Help at Rikers Island (Published 2015)
- Video Shows Inmate Dying of Diabetes Complications in Rikers as Guards Did Nothing
- City to Pay $5.3 Million to End Suits Over 2 Rikers Inmates’ Deaths (Published 2015)
- Family of diabetic inmate who died to get $1.5M settlement
- Do Jails Kill People?
- More than 370 people have died in NYC jails since 2001