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hrmjustin

(71,265 posts)
Tue Jun 3, 2014, 08:59 AM Jun 2014

Death of Rikers inmate left in cell ruled a homicide

APJAKE PEARSON
Tuesday, June 03, 2014
NEW YORK -- The death of a seriously mentally ill and diabetic inmate who sexually mutilated himself after seven days in a New York City jail cell has been ruled a homicide, the city medical examiner's office said Monday.

Spokeswoman Julie Bolcer said the cause of 39-year-old Bradley Ballard's September 2013 death on Rikers Island was diabetic ketoacidosis with a contributing factor of genital ischemia. Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when people don't have enough insulin and the liver breaks down fat instead, which can be fatal. Ischemia occurs when tissues don't get enough oxygen and die.

Ballard, who family members said had been diagnosed as schizophrenic, was discovered lying in his own feces in a cell with a rubber band tied around his scrotum. He had been confined to his cell in a mental observation unit at Rikers for seven days for making a lewd gesture at a female guard, according to interviews and documents obtained by The Associated Press.

http://7online.com/news/death-of-rikers-inmate-left-in-cell-ruled-a-homicide/90860/

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