Christopher Robinson
Christopher Robinson, 18, was held at the adolescent unit on Rikers Island when he was beaten to death in October 2008. His mother, Charnel Robinson, said he was her only child, that he had recently started his first job at a Staples store, and that he planned to go to college, marry and have children. Prosecutors said he was singled out for refusing to join a secret group called "The Program", which directed inmates to assault other prisoners under the supervision of correction officers. Several inmates and officers were charged or convicted in connection with the death, and one defendant, Shaddon Beswick, went to trial and maintains his innocence.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (neglect alleged). Prosecutors say Robinson was beaten to death by fellow inmates in a secret program run with correction officers, and his mother says he was targeted for refusing to join the group; the officers' role is alleged, not confirmed by the death itself, and Beswick maintains his innocence.
Reported by: Bronx District Attorney's office; his mother, Charnel Robinson (family or their lawyers); court records.
Lawsuit: His mother sued New York City and settled for $2 million in 2012, and two correction officers later pleaded guilty to assault in the case.
Sources (7)
- Christopher Robinson brutal beating death at Rikers Island left mom broken
- Former Rikers Island prison guards plead guilty to running sadistic secret group that left teen dead
- Rikers Island Correction Officers Sentenced In Beating Death Of Inmate
- Rikers Island correction officers get short jail terms for role in 18-year-old inmate’s death
- Bronx courtroom nightmare will continue, but mother determined to win justice for son murdered on Rikers
- NYC to pay $2M to mom in wrongful death settlement
- Mother of slain Christopher Robinson, 18, says Rikers Island hasn’t learned their lesson