Prison Guard Charged in Inmate's Death
BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- District Attorney Robert Johnson announced the Supreme Court indictment of former Rikers Island Correction Officer Wickenson DeMaitrel on charges related to the October 1, 2014 death of inmate Victor Woods.
DeMaitre pled not guilty before Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett to the following count:
Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the 1st (Class E Felony, 2 counts)
Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the 2nd Degree (Class E Misdemeanor, 2 cts)
Falsifying Business Records in the 2nd Degree (Class A Misdemeanor, 2 counts)
Official Misconduct (Class A Misdemeanor, 2 counts)
DeMaitre was scheduled to surrender to authorities on August 11, 2015 but did not. He finally turned himself in, through his attorney, on September 24th.
Bail was set at $50,000 on a secured bond; it was posted at the time of arraignment. DeMaitre's case has been adjourned until December 1st, Part 60, Bronx Supreme Court.
It is charged that the 47-year-old DeMaitre was at his post at Rikers’ Anna M. Kross Center when the 53-year-old Woods began convulsing during the overnight period of October 1, 2014.
DeMaitre claimed he notified the medical response team when video showed he took no action. In fact, it was other inmates who brought the matter to the other officer’s attention; she did, however, perform her duty, informing the medical team.
Despite the staff’s efforts, Victor Woods died; the Medical Examiner ruled that a gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to peptic ulcer disease of the duodenum was the cause of death.
If convicted, DeMaitre faces up to four years behind bars.
The case against DeMaitre is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Stephen Knoepfler and Deputy Chief James Goward of the Bronx D.A.’s Rackets Bureau, under the supervision of Bureau Chief Stuart Levy and Executive Assistant District Attorney Thomas Leahy.
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