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New York City Settles With Stabbed Riker’s Prisoner For $40,000
On August 17, 2006, the City of New York paid $40,000 to settle with a prisoner who was stabbed while imprisoned at the Riker's Island Correctional Facility.
Plaintiff Melvin Grady claimed that while imprisoned at Riker's Island in August 1994 he was beaten by six or seven members of the Latin Kings gang. Following the assault, which left him with cuts and abrasions, Grady requested placement in protective custody. He was denied.
Less than two weeks later Grady was stabbed from behind by another prisoner. Grady underwent emergency surgery to stop the bleeding (the shank nearly came through the front of his abdomen) and remained hospitalized for 10 days.
Grady sued the City, which operates the jail, for pain and suffering claiming it failed to provide adequate security. Though he didn't see his attacker, Grady believe it was a member of the same gang as those who attacked him previously and argued that he should have been segregated following the initial assault. Grady also claimed he suffered residual pain and has residual scarring near his naval.
The defense argued that Grady wasn't credible because of his criminal history, which included 14 pending cases and 27 prior convictions. They further contended there were no records of Grady's request for protective custody. Grady's counsel countered with medical records that were generated when Grady was treated at the jail's infirmary following the first attack.
The City agreed to settle during trial for $40,000. Grady was represented by Michael Maiolica of the Law Office of Steven Wildstein in Great Neck, New York. See: Grady v. City of New York, Bronx Supreme Court, Case No. 24275/95.
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Related legal case
Grady v. City of New York
Year | 2006 |
---|---|
Cite | Bronx Supreme Court, Case No. 24275/95 |
Level | State Trial Court |
Conclusion | Settlement |
Damages | 40,000.00 |
Injunction Status | N/A |