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Trial begins for guard in NYC inmate’s 2012 death

File-This June 20, 2014, file photo shows New York's biggest lockup, Riker's Island jail, with the New York skyline in the background. A New York City jail guard accused of ignoring the pleas of a dying mentally ill inmate at Rikers Island in 2012 is set to go on trial. Jury selection begins Monday in Manhattan federal court for Terrence Pendergrass, who is charged with violating the rights of 25-year-old Jason Echevarria. Authorities say Pendergrass ignored other guards’ warnings that Echevarria was in agonizing pain, vomiting and spitting up blood after ingesting a toxic soap ball. They say Pendergrass peered into Echevarria’s cell in a solitary confinement unit for mentally ill inmates before walking away. Pendergrass has pleaded not guilty. Echevarria’s father has filed a $20 million lawsuit. Rikers has come under increased scrutiny for the way mentally ill inmates are treated. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) File-This June 20, 2014, file photo shows New York's biggest lockup, Riker's Island jail, with the New York skyline in the background. A New York City jail guard accused of ignoring the pleas of a dying mentally ill inmate at Rikers Island in 2012 is set to go on trial. Jury selection begins Monday in Manhattan federal court for Terrence Pendergrass, who is charged with violating the rights of 25-year-old Jason Echevarria. Authorities say Pendergrass ignored other guards’ warnings that Echevarria was in agonizing pain, vomiting and spitting up blood after ingesting a toxic soap ball. They say Pendergrass peered into Echevarria’s cell in a solitary confinement unit for mentally ill inmates before walking away. Pendergrass has pleaded not guilty. Echevarria’s father has filed a $20 million lawsuit. Rikers has come under increased scrutiny for the way mentally ill inmates are treated. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

By Associated Press December 8, 2014 1 min read

NEW YORK (AP) – A New York City jail guard accused of ignoring the pleas of a dying mentally ill inmate at Rikers Island in 2012 is set to go on trial.

Jury selection begins Monday in Manhattan federal court for Terrence Pendergrass, who is charged with violating the rights of 25-year-old Jason Echevarria.

Authorities say Pendergrass ignored other guards’ warnings that Echevarria was in agonizing pain, vomiting and spitting up blood after ingesting a toxic soap ball.

They say Pendergrass peered into Echevarria’s cell in a solitary confinement unit for mentally ill inmates before walking away.

Pendergrass has pleaded not guilty. Echevarria’s father has filed a $20 million lawsuit.

Rikers has come under increased scrutiny for the way mentally ill inmates are treated.