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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsKalief Browder, Jailed At Rikers For Three Years Without Conviction, Dies Of An Apparent Suicide
A 22-year-old man who spent three tortuous years behind bars without being convicted of a crime killed himself on Saturday, the New Yorker reported.
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The New Yorker told the story of Kalief Browder last year, and this weekend, writer Jennifer Gonnerman sat with his family in their anger and grief.
His death came after years of beatings, withheld meals, and other abuse at Rikers Island, where he had been held for a crime he said he didnt commit. He was arrested at age 16 after a man claimed Browder had robbed him; authorities dropped charges after three years and before the case went to trial. Surveillance video later obtained by the New Yorker showed two instances of the abuse Browder faced while in custody from corrections workers and other inmates. In spite of the conditions he faced, Browder said on multiple occasions he refused to take a plea deal because he was innocent.
Browders story prompted a closer look at problems at Rikers; it turned out he was one of many people caught in the backlog of the jail and the state court system.
Source: Buzzfeed
Source: New Yorker
BlueJazz
(25,348 posts)Agschmid
(28,749 posts)madokie
(51,076 posts)because I want to cry too.
MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)But it matters to us.
Rest in peace, Kalief, a peace you did not find in this world.
Delphinus
(11,848 posts)How can they hold a person for 3 years, without charging them!? SO Gitmo taught us how to just say fuck it all to the law and society?
WTF!
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)he had to have been so traumatized by his experiences.
I'm heartsick.
onecaliberal
(33,016 posts)SamKnause
(13,114 posts)This is just sickening.
I can't imagine the pain and abuse this young man endured !!!!!!!!!!
He was 16 when the 'justice' system failed him.
I am so ashamed of my country.
Agschmid
(28,749 posts)It can't this wasn't justice, for anyone.
Guy Whitey Corngood
(26,514 posts)filthy lives. Maybe even get promotions and such. There is no justice.
KT2000
(20,609 posts)and headed for good things when they took him. They took this young man's life. They owed him support after his ordeal. This is so sad.
Fla Dem
(23,905 posts)And I don't see many/any candidates for 2016 with a real plan to fix this.
Liberal_in_LA
(44,397 posts)jwirr
(39,215 posts)prayin4rain
(2,065 posts)cali
(114,904 posts)I've followed this case with horror.DOJ needs to dismantle this crap.
Agschmid
(28,749 posts)Just the one we know about.
napkinz
(17,199 posts)napkinz
(17,199 posts)malaise
(269,365 posts)Sixteen - solitary confinement for two years - over a backpack he said he did not steal.
Abused and tortured - and people want me to feel sorry for Josh Duggar the pedophile.